By Austin Allens

IT was fun in those days when a man marries more than five wives. A wife whose turn it was to ‘host’ the man, would prepare sumptuous meal and decorate the room in such a way that the man would return early. It was even fun for the children when they live up the road to farm to weed. The man is happier because nobody talks to him anyhow without first looking at the size of his family.

Those religious men envy the ‘juju-servers’ when it comes to showing up. Nobody, including the children care where they sleep. Some sleep in the sitting room while others manage the frontage of the house until they were pursued inside by cold.

Kola (not citizen) was one of those who enjoyed the company of his father and mother. Whenever Kola’s father was going out, he took the young boy along this afforded Kola the opportunity to know how to handle women. When the father decided to take the fifth wife with Kola almost 25, the youngman fringed, thanking his father for preparing good inheritance for him.

Not quite three years after Kola’s wife took the fifth wife. The man died, leaving his vast farm-land and other properties for Kola and his younger ones.

The custom in the village demand that once the father is late, the eldest son takes over the properties. if the eldest son likes, he may share part to his younger ones and if he does not, he can do whatever he likes.

Kola was not interested in the various farm-land the father left behind. He choose the farm close to the house, inherited the house and the younger wife who had only a son. Kola himself was a Casanova in his days. He knew all the nitty-gritty of love and knew as well how to turn a lady on.

When the four other wives of his late father knew that Kola’s love was for the younger wife, they asked for permission to leave. This did not bother Kola. He saw life as a wife place where you can view what your eyes see. He became an interested spectator as the other ladies parked out in turn. But the younger wife that tickled Kola, was rewarded for her humility and understanding. It became so interesting that Kola was asked if it was bathing first or the other way round. Whenever Kola was outside playing the native game of Ayo, the lady would allow her wrapper drop exposing the God-planted apples on the chest. You trust Kola who immediately abandon the game to have ‘discussion’ with the lady.

Sometimes, Kola would wonder whether his ‘bura’ was too small., this was what led him to one of the Hausa-man in the community who sells ‘Maigani’. After a dose of the stuff, kola invited the lady to bed. It was a cool evening and the people were busy preparing diner. The dog-fight started and the lady was at it again, moaning. Despite the effort, kola was unsuccessful in his bid to see the end.

At this point, the lady yelled at Kola, “softly… you cannot see the end. Your father tried all he could and yet failed to see the end. Not even you, can see what your father did not see”.
Kola was angry. He pumped away at the balloon and no success.

It was at this point passers-by came. They called out Kola to stop the game and came for advice. It was the advice of the passers-by that stopped the game and the marriage dissolved.
That was the end of the unholy romance.

Nowadays, people are afraid to marry more than one. Their children do not even go to farm at all, neither do they eat eba or pounded yam. They ear indomie and spaghettis. These are not produced in this part of the world.

A smart cassanova who already has a wife at home, goes out for extra marital activities. He does not bother bringing such lady’s to his marital home. and such man or (men) may never see the end. But why the extra marital activity? Why do men want to give HIV/AIDS tot heir innocent wives?

This is a topic for another write-up. If you are Kola and refuse to pick a form to fill for the job the present administration is offering, do not forget that you may never see the end of the suffering and poverty.