CASSAVA STORY 2

(The Contest)

The snow-flakes at the top of the trees that stood like a sculptor's skeleton were beginning to melt and drops of water were digging their own little trenches scattered all over the place. Birds that were quiet the whole winter were begging for the sun to smile once again, and for the crickets and frogs, it was a sing-along at night.

Winter was giving way for spring and the plants hibernating all through the winter knew that it was nearing time to report at the king's palace. A great number of plants were learning to store food on their barks, trunks and roots because while they will be moving , they have to depend on the stored foods.

Others even learnt to capture moisture from the air. Some exhude offensive aroma while others manufacture poisonous liquid they could use as defensive weaponry if and when attacked on the days ahead.

At the appointed time, the king, the great Oak sent his gong again into the whole territory to announce the date for the beginning of the journey into where humans can reach them.

Everybody gathered at the king's palace and the king welcomed the whole multitude of plants; encouragement was given and tears were shed, some embraced and others just shook hands, souvenirs were exchanged and gifts changed hands. 

At last, the king announced that this act also served as an opportunity to test the popularity of each and every plants, and the winner of the contest would be given a pride of place in the scheme of things in the plant kingdom..

The king wished everybody well and advised them to be good ambassadors of the kingdom, so each plant devised its own means of launching itself into the human territory. 

Guava used the birds, water-leaf used explosive mechanism, bitter-leaf used wind, cassava used the space between the hooves of animals and explosive mechanisms. The African Oil Bean followed the footsteps of cassava through explosive mechanism and pepper used the animals.

Years have passed and every plant specie has devised its own method of adapting to its new environment. Those who had wits survived and the lily-livered were sent back home.

The atmosphere was charged. Everybody had something to say to another as regards the contest. Guava was boasting that apart from making the children happy, he also provided shed for the relaxation of the house holder. Pumpkin said that Guava's food was only seasonal and she helped the woman of the house to cook almost everyday. Pepper and Tomato said they give vitamins and minerals and rice said she lives in a woman's kitchen and that she would win the contest. Cassava was a shy and quiet fellow and as such was not engaged in heated arguments but she knew she was going to use everything at her disposal to give the contest her best shot