Brick-making in the ancient Egypt must have been fun. Although israelites worked under austere masters who wouldn't lend ears to any kind of excuse, I can imagine how jumpy and bouncy lads were. Of course I'm not turning a blind eye to the fact that the people were enslaved; but come on! I'm trying to make lemonade out of lemon. It does not only sound barbaric and ungodly to us, but it is also uncivilised, uncouth, yukish and inhuman to tame reproduction in humans. I mean, why would someone in their right minds command women to bear only girls? Innocent bouncing baby boys would be victimized for what only a lunatic can explain. I think risking the life of a charming boy like Moses by hiding him in a raging river is completely unfathomable!
Oops! This is not what I intended to write about; it's a slip of the pen. Let me resume my story coz contemplating about Pharaoh can make one lose his head. Before I got derailed by the chocking reminiscence, I was telling about how communal work probably evoked joy among the israelites. Slavery had become part and parcel of their lives and they must have adapted to such a life. It would be mean of us to think that they never smiled. On the contrary, I think they would make fun on each other and let out deafening guffaws. As I write right now, I'm straining my biceps due the fun I had last Sunday alongside a legion of ant-industrious hunks and a bevy of rainbow-beautiful young ladies. It's no crime sharing the experience.
The crack of dawn was ushered in by moderate showers which soaked misfortunes and the foul stench of wickedness. Moreover, the downpour provided enough water for construction, saving women the turmoil of fetching water with jerry cans from a distant river. I vividly recall how I huddled awaiting daylight. Myriad of thoughts crossed my mind intensifying uncertainty whether I would manage the task ahead. These uncertainties were evoked by the fact that we (the youth) had spent that whole night at a vigil yet the following day we were expected to work at a newly-acquired plot of land for Ruiru Church branch.
Determination to embark on the task was inscribed all over brethren's faces and their words confessed how willing all of them were to partake in the work. We encouraged each other with sincere reassurances. Frequent heavy pats on my back triggered hiccups and reflex outsticking of my tongue; but I had to persevere despite pain.
At around 8:00 am, a previously desolate plot was a bee hive with brethren from all walks of life working busily like the African wild bees. I was tickled by the way people had worn. I'm used to them in modest clads but yesterday they were in literal rags and aprons. This was mainly because the main work involved preparing slurry (those with an idea of what it means to work with concrete will justify such cladding). I cannot describe how I had worn but I was alarmed because everyone that saw me let out a boisterous laugh. They must have been happy seeing me there coz I don't want to admit they were laughing at me.
I was working at the concrete mixer alongside other brethren (that should tell you I had little time to breathe). With what I saw, felt and experienced, I acclaim all masons for the hard work they do. They must be very strong! The cloud of cement at the mixer never spared us; my friends looked like powdered baboons. I couldn't help giggling.
After the back-breaking task, food was in plenty. Heaps of ugali "with a shadow" became our dearest comforters. We chewed rhythmically but very aggressively, something that made some eyes shed tears. After the feast, my friends and I hurriedly matched to the bus terminus in a procession to catch a bus home. Disappointingly enough, all touts seemed to avoid us (remember we didn't manage to bathe and change coz of time); may be they thought we were luna...no! I shouldn't think of such! Every tout brushed us off and ordered the driver to leave.
I talked to the last tout who made us walk home. He looked kind and saved. He was indeed very kind and polite in turning down our request. Realising that the "lunatic" enquiring about the route his bus was to follow was willing to pay, he trippled the fare, obviously to discourage us. Faced by such discrimination, we decided to walk home. We laughed all way long. This is the sweetest day I have recently spent; everything was hunky-dory!
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