THE LEOPARD'S MIRROR (Part I)

n't own a watch, but he could tell by the length of his shadow-what Mr. Ebube once joked looked like "a runaway currency curve"-that it was deep into pr

th Prophecy, run by a man said to be a former telegraph clerk. The man, his six wives, and a brood of shaggy-haired children were always decked in white, parading like sacred abuke bir

He remembered how children in the village would rush at dawn to scavenge its offerings, the sweet fruit considered a divine gift. He smiled

home!" shrieked Adaobi, his younger sis

his reclining raffia chair like a startled leopard. Adaobi, unfazed by the words,

anger and embraced his son in a stiff but sincere hug.

s? That was new. His father usually offered a solemn handshake, seated like a king re

, her hands white with cassava flour. She had heard Adaobi's announc

aimed, leading the way to th

settled on his stool, wiping his brow. "After yesterday, I wasn'

Ugochukwu asked, suddenly a

asked his fa

kness at

ened the

ed a total solar eclipse. Di

recent letter," his m

Ofia Mgbom with four hired hands from Nara. Hardworking fellows. I had even sent your m

his breath and wiping

r work. But it lingered, son. One of the boys pointed upward and shouted, and we all turned. The sun was being eaten! I swear it! A black t

u found his s

s if the Angel Gabriel was dancing on them. People were running, wailing. Some dress

et when it began. Women dropped baskets, meat, money-everything.

Everyone was screaming different songs. 'Nearer My God to Thee,' 'Jerusalem,' others shouting Hail Mary. Wh

g sil

t happened was a natural phenomenon. We were told about it at school.

at him like he had

pletely. It's rare but not supernatural. The Principal had informed

g. His wife was now sittin

ntinued. "Even the night guards came out thinking it

Then turned to hi

ybe we don't need th

ess the cleansing ceremony planned by the town. You know how o

eed," Ugochuk

er raise

mly. "There's nothing spiritual ab

"You children of books. Alright. I will speak to the chief. Perha

you,

" Mama Ugo whispered,

" his fat