STORYTIME TAPESTRY

The Newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world

July 23, 2005 

MY NEIGHBOR'S DOG (June 2005)

By: Georgewaters Ojeigbe -- Lagos, Nigeria gojiegbe@jhplc.com

Jack is his name.  Not the jack of all trade or Jack Robinson, but Jack the wicked dog, Jack the trouble maker, Jack the Coward!

My neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. (I don't actually know their names) have lived in London for at least 10 to 12 years.  They fled the country in the early 80s to escape the military junta.  Well, they came back to the country and tend to live the white man's life which we call the Oyinbo life.  They got for themselves a beautiful little brown dog with a white strip running from the bottom jaw part of the mouth through the stomach to the tail end. 

When Jack was first brought I used to go play with him were he usually was tied to.  He was so timid then but at times excited when he sees me coming.

One day as I was at the basketball pitch a wild female dog ran passed me like someone being chased by a rental ghost or someone running away from a 10 feet tall lion.  I jumped on a rickety Nissan Stanza car parked there, so were others who fled to avoid the mad dog's vexation.  This mad dog had almost all the hairs off her body, with eyes red as an alligator.  She was so thin and frail.  God forbid bad thing for if that kind of a dog should bite you there would be no way you won't contact AIDs.

After the mad dog had passed to an unknown destination I started for home.  Getting near Jack's home I heard dogs' angers so I went closer only to see that same mad female dog on Jack.  Already, blood was on Jack's body.  I picked up a piece of stick and threw it at the mad dog.  Thank God, she fled leaving Jack still groaning with pain.  I pet him before his father and mother as we usually call his owners came down from upstairs to check the situation.  I guess this was the beginning of Jack's born-against attitude.

Few weeks or a month later; I can't actually remember for how long, Jack's uncle a young man of about 23 years living with the family was strolling with him and I felt it was time to play with Jack again.  I called out to Jack and he stood bent with body facing the north and his face on the west looking straight into my eyes.  I wasn't alert enough to realize that this once cool dog (gentle) has now become hot (wild) dog.  He was doing that their dog warning sound 'unnnnnnnn, unnnnnnn', yet I didn't pay attention to the warning.  I walked straight into Jack.  He gave me a serious bit on my wrist.  I dashed backward, he came after me and I tossed my right foot at him which hit his jaw.  for a while he went 'ha-u-u-u-n-n-n-n-n...'.  I tried petting him but he became more wild.  I was defeated by him as I couldn't win his favor.  That enmity lasted for over 3 years.  I guess he remembers the kick whenever he sees me I don't seem to know yet.

Just early this year I was told that Jack doesn't want to see anybody in black attires.  No wonder why when he sees those scavengers who usually are in black materials; whether white or brown automatically those materials becomes black because of the nature of their job, Jack would go after them and most a times those scavengers abandons their bags to flee from Jack.

A troublesome lady as Jack lives in the same house block with Jack's family.  She knows that Jack doesn't like seeing black cloth materials on people and she will still put on a black skirt and walk by where the dog usually stay in the evenings with his mother or father (mummy and daddy Londona) as we usually call his owners.  The dog will bark after this lady.  She will pick up a stick to defend herself but that doesn't make her feel okay as she sometimes loss her steps and hit her head or toe on something strange; all because of the Jack. 

For me, I don't go close to his house block whenever I put on a black trouser.  I can go near him whenever I have lighter clothing on.

The truth is that the lady deliberately does that sometimes to catch her fun but one day the dog bit the lady on her left wrist.  Now she has stopped putting on black cloths but her trouble with the dog still continues as she will go upstairs to throw rolled paper, piece of stick or any other annoying item on the dog, but because the dog is too far from this lady he can't really react only just to be doing 'huunnnn, huuuun, hunnnn', meaning in human language "I'm warning youuuuuu, I'm warning youuuuu..."  His eyes in the socket will start hovering like a hawk and his tail tucked in under his stomach.

Sometimes this lady throws pieces of chicken bones at the dog which he would eat with fright, always looking behind whether the lady will come with a whip...

A day when I was on my way to the same basketball pitch (I had black jeans on), I forgot and passed near Jack's block.  I had gotten to my friend's frontage when I noticed that the elm of my jeans was being pulled backward.  In me I was rehearsing on how to grab the guy playing the pranks on me.  I thought it was one of those stubborn boys around trying to amusing themselves.  Someone was screaming something which I didn't pay attention to.  I was concentrating at my aim.  I immediately turned around to grab the person only to see Jack being the one holding tight to the elm of my jeans trouser.  I was scared again but he just simply ran back towards the direction where the screaming was coming (his mother was the one scream the name of Jack).  He got back, sat by her side to wink at me in a doggy way and had the expression of one who had just had a good mischief accomplished.  I felt he was laughing at me in the dog's way.

I called out to him and he was no more that stubborn.  Although, he didn't come to me but that usual guyish way to scare people away had gone from him.

I picked up a piece of stick and held it behind me before moving closer to him.  Then the whole people seated began to laugh at Jack and George calling both of us friends.

Now, the truth is that that dog no more harasses me since I have known what he doesn't like and what he likes...  And now, I enjoy seeing the dog slowly move towards me with the back upward as a bully ready to attack but when he gets closer, he comes sniffing my legs as if to say I hope you didn't dye this trouser or pants from black to brown or green (whichever I am putting on).  After discovering my trouser to be original white, brown or any other lighter material, he will then seat near me looking upward and sometimes doing that 'hunnnnn, hunnnnn, hunnnnn' near me, put warning me for what I wouldn't know.

Dogs are fun anyway.  Jack was a fun and acted a cowardly way because he never attacked anyone when alone except when with his owners.  He is indeed a trouble maker.

Jacky, Jacky the Jackie Chan dog...

(Jack is still alive for proof.  Jack is now very fat but I would want a Group of people to go and advise the human parents to get that dog reduced in size otherwise he is going to die of obesity; or obecountry which ever!)

THE END!

Georgewaters Ojeigbe

gojiegbe @jhplc.com

BIO-DATA

I was born on 21^st April, 1970.  I live in Lagos, Nigeria the most populous city in Africa. I sing in a Church music group where I fellowship.  I love sports.  I love admiring the heavens and other wonderful works borne from Jehovah's hands.  I discovered the power of writing stories, encouraged by Carol.  Thanks for her existence!  I am pet lover minus snakes; I so much hate this creature called snake but others I prefer.  I like to do lots of home works like creating my art works, gardening, making some home furniture, fitting electrical appliances etc.

Today's Queue Stories
~**~**~**~

  I Was Lost, But I Was Found

B.J. Cassady

     I wish to dedicate this series to my deceased wife, Sharon Cassady. 

This is her story.  I have interviewed the people involved and have a

copy of the newspaper article of this horrific event.  I spent much time

deciding whether or not to write this but feel the need for several

reasons.  The story is about abuse, violence, fear.

   For women who read this and see themselves in the story, I plead, I

beg, get help.

  For men who see themselves in this true story, get counseling or get

out of your relationship.  Anyone who knows either a victim or a

batterer, report it to the police.  If your are right, you might save a

life.  On with the story.

     Sharon at the age of 15 became a victim.  The local thug, drug-

dealer, heavy told her to marry him else he would kill her parents. 

Being 15, and not knowing much about the world and alternatives,

she did marry him at the age of 15.  She had three children, and also

she had many beatings.  Some of which were so bad her own family

didn't recognize her.  Finally, she didn't care if she lived or died,

she didn't care if her children died.  She took the children and left,

hid.  She filed for divorce and also a restraining order against John

Doe(sorry John but I had to make up a name).  Sharon was at home

one day when the ex kicked in her door and slapped her around.  He

mentioned the divorce didn't mean anything and the restraining

order was just a piece of paper.  He threatened to come back anytime

he wanted.

      Sharon called the police and had him arrested for violating the

restraining order and probably assault.  He got out on bail fairly fast.

     Sharon, her sister and Sharon's three children went to church the

next day.   Her uncle, a decorated Korean war vet, was the local

Bishop.  Little did they know that the ex had a rifle, and had camped

out on a hill overlooking the church.

     When Sharon started to get the children out from the car, her ex

came from the foliage with a rifle aimed at her.  She thought his intent

was to murder the children.  Meanwhile, the Bishop came from the

church and took in the scene at a glance.  He started to talking to the

couple while the sister took the children into the relative safety of the

church.  The sister also phoned the sheriff, the local police, and the

state police.  Outside things were tense.  The Bishop took Sharon

by the arm and started to escort her into the church.  The ex asked the

Bishop if he felt like dying today.  The Bishop turned his back to him

and started to go in the church as a round was squeezed off by the ex. 

The bullet hit Sharon's uncle in the back, killing him instantly.   He

then grabbed Sharon by the arm and kidnapped her, taking her into

the woods.

     A brief interruption.  Sharon's aunt, the wife of the Bishop, told

me she was at home getting ready for church.  The husband 'felt' like

he needed to be at church early that day and told her to take their

other car.  The wife was in the front room when a cold feeling came

over her and she turned to see her husband standing in the doorway. 

He told her not to forget where the insurance papers were and then

he was gone.  She knew, knew he was dead.

      Just as Sharon and the ex were headed to the woods, sirens could

be heard.   Thanks to the fast thinking of her sister, law enforcers

were swarming the area.  Helicopters were flying overhead.  Also, one

of the worst lightening storms in the regions's history was occurring,

forcing the ex to toss his rifle, afraid he would get hit by lightening. 

He made Sharon wear his coat in case lawmen shot at his description.  

I wondered what her thoughts were during this episode, murder or

torture then murder.  Sharon did have some sand, she grabbed a rock

and knocked him in the side of the head.  He pulled a knife and

stabbed her in the side.  Sharon ran for the nearest clearing with the

ex on her heels.  As they entered the clearing, to his chagrin, were the

men in blue.  He surrendered peacefully and put in a police car. 

Sharon went over to see that he really was in the car.  He told her, he

would escape, hunt down her family...kill them, kill their children,

then find and kill her.

     He escaped.  Some of her family have died under mysterious

circumstances. 

     Sharon fled to Oklahoma with her children.  The unusual part of

this horrible story is I wonder how much all this contributed to her

dying at the age of 47 of cancer?  One of her daughters married a man

who beat her.  The cycle continues until someone takes a stand and

says, "No More."  Sharon never really told me this story.  After she

passed on,. I visited West Frankfort, Illinois and spoke to the people

involved.  I  got newspaper clippings etc. of the event. 

     I have worked as a Stephen Minister for a decade and as a lay

counselor, abuse is something I never understood.  But whether I

understand it or not, it is there. 

    So I ask, stop the madness.

B. J. Cassady

Guthrie, Oklahoma

B.J. Cassady

BJ.Cassady @ af-group.com

B.J. Cassady is a Stephen Minister at

Edmond Trinity Church and ISD professional

in Guthrie, Oklahoma.  A disabled Vietnam

era USAF vet,  BJ enjoys giving back to

the world with his writings and is putting

together a CD audio collection of his best

writings.  For further information please

write: bj.enterprises @juno.com

Also look for his story 'Medals' in

"More Patriot Hearts" by Lt Col William

Coffey and "The Quilt".

~**~**~

LEARN TO LIVE

Steve Goodier

Charlie Hough says, "Listen to everyone. Learn from everyone.
Nobody knows everything but everyone knows something."

At her citizenship hearing in 1967, Immaculata Cuomo (mother of
Mario Cuomo) was asked by the judge how many stars were on the US
flag. She said she didn't know, but could she ask the judge a
question? After he agreed, she asked him how many hands of
bananas were on a stalk. He admitted he didn't know, so she
proudly said, "Well, I do." Her citizenship was granted. Here was
a judge who wisely realized that everyone has something to teach.

"Live to learn and you will learn to live," says a Portuguese
proverb. For life cannot be lived well in ignorance. In fact,
those who live life to the fullest have a PhD in living! This is
what a PhD in living means:

P is for "poor in knowledge." Those who live best realize that
they can never learn enough.

H is for "hungry to learn." Those who hunger for knowledge will
always find plenty to eat.

D is for "desire to succeed." Those who desire to learn and
improve, and those who persist in spite of obstacles, will live
fully.

Realize you're poor in knowledge, become hungry to learn and
desire to succeed. Everybody and every occasion can become your
teacher, and this is the PhD that will open the door of success.

__________

Steve Goodier's books & newsletter: http://LifeSupportSystem.com.

GETTING UP WHEN YOU'RE FEELING DOWN

 

Poetry Section

~**~**~

No Time For Sadness

Sharlette Hunt

I was feeling so sad, my computer was broke,

Drinking way too much coffee, trying not to chain smoke.

When a call from my friend, sounding happy and gay,

Told me of a picnic that's happening today.

I said, "I'm not going", tried every excuse,

She just wouldn't let me, so what was the use?

I reluctantly got dressed, got into my clothes,

And that's how it works, as everyone knows.

There's days I am down and can't reason why,

These feelings may come, I might start to cry,

These friends I have now make blues fade away,

There's no time for sadness in my life today!

Sharlette863 @aol.com

~**~**~

Harmony of Life

                                                                Sharlett Hunt

A butterfly flutters from flower to flower,

He stops for a moment, or maybe an hour,

I pause for just a little while,

This never fails to make me smile.

A tiny gator swims slowly toward shore,

Looking for minnows, not anything more.

So happy inside his watery castle,

Just enjoying his life without any hassle.

A little squirrel scurries, with nuts in his mouth,

He seems not to care that he lives in the south,

He's storing for winter, though only he knows where,

He seems so ambitious, I'll try not to stare.

The birds of the morning, oh how they do sing!

It gives me awareness of what God's love brings,

This harmony of life that's so freely given,

There's all this and more that makes life worth living.

Sharlette863 @aol.com


About Me:

I was born in Alabama, the middle of
seven children. At about age four we moved
to Central Florida and I have lived here
most of my life. I am a Viet Nam Era
Veteran. I have always enjoyed writing
and as I get older it seems to come more
naturally to me. I believe
everyone has many stories inside them and
some are blessed to be able to share them.

~**~**~

A Child For All Seasons

Charith Pelpola

I knew a child,
A thing of light and sun-bleached hair.

And she danced with spring green and autumn gold
While all about her, blossoms budded and bloomed,
Fruits ripened on the bough
Snowdrifts settled and dissolved,
And roots heaved and crept with new resolve

And she danced to a tune that called forth the seasons,
Replenished and renewed;
Sun and Moon reunited, stars and wildfire ignited.
Dancing with the seasons in a day

One summer's eve I spied her,
Deep in swathes of honey and gold,
As she danced, her tresses swirled and swam,
An aura of summer promises
And childhood days, long gone

And as she danced,
I recalled what it was to be
A child for all seasons

And as she danced
She beckoned for the setting sun
Danced until heaven and earth were one.

I knew a child,
A thing of light and sun-bleached hair

And as long as the sun ripens the world
And new blossoms continue to unfurl
Her dance for life will remind me to be,
A child for all seasons


 
?© Charith Pelpola, 2004

charith@starwaves.tv

As for me: I'm a wildlife documentary maker, have been in the business for almost 10 years and have spent most of my life in the field of environmental conservation. After qualifying in environmental science in '96, I moved out of the UK where I was brought up, and proceeded to lead a nomadic existence throughout South and South East Asia, and have now taken root in the island-state of Singapore. My factual and scientific writings have appeared in several publications, from wildlife periodicals to in-flight magazines, to coffee-table photography books. My fictional writing has remained entirely personal - until very recently!

I am of Anglo-Germanic Sri Lankan heritage, 32 years old, husband to Kristen and parent to four cats and two dogs.

Writers Feedback

Carol,

   What a wonderful story this was.  Laughter truly does have the power to heal us and bring us endless joy.  Smiles truly do connect our hearts and souls.  I hope that everyone who reads finds a laugh on their lips and a smile on their face.  Keep up the great work.

Wishing you every joy, Joe

Taught by Example warmed my heart, sweetie.

Barb

Carol, A good lesson to be learnt in "Taught by Example."  Laughter is such a healer and a smile of welcome can change peoples' feelings indeed.  A cold stare can really be offputting.      Gabrielle.  

Prayer Requests and Updates

Rosie had her third bandage change last night 7.21.05...........  She has been so traumatized by all this that she has to be sedated just to clean (the proud flesh up) and re-bandage here leg.  So no trip to the vet is easy for either one of us, I have been so stressed out that the vet said would you like some valium too....  LoL...  or six months in the funny farm.

Thank you for continued prayers for us both!

Love,

Barbara & Rosie

Hi!
I will hear next week whether I am accepted as teacher of Latin at Cardinal O'Hara High School in Tonawanda, NY (Western New York near Buffalo). I gratefully request prayer for this position.
Vance Agee

SENIOR WRITERS

Agee, Vance;  Apted, Violet;  Baker, Kathy;  Batt, Al;  Berry, Nell;

Boda, Ginger;  Bryant, Sharon;  Buhagiar, Victor; Cassady, B.J.;  Crider, Mark; 

Deming, Barb; Goodier, Steve;  Harris, Kathy Anne; Hunt, Sharlette; 

Jacobson, Gary;  Kiser, Roger Dean; Kerens, Claudia; Jenkins, Pamela;

Liles, Norma;  Mazzella, Joe; Ojeigbe, Georgewaters;

  Petry, Dianna Doles; Roberts, Susan;  Shaw, Bob; Sims, Richard; Swarner, Ken; Vaknin, Sam;

Walker, Bill;  Walker, Joe; Warner, Gorden K;

Whirity, Kathy;  White, Robert;

STORYTIME TAPESTRY STAFF

Publisher: Carol Roach-founder

Moderator: Thelma Hartselle-co founder

Moderator: Clara Westerfer

Send all inquires about the newsletter including submission requirements: