Creative Writing · Fiction · Short Stories

Bright Long John…

jacquelineobyikocha

Bicycle

The name had changed from Bright Scholars to Saint Brigid’s, but the trademark bicycle ‘Long John’ was still mounted at its entrance weathering the elements.

The owner of the bicycle was the founder, teacher and headmaster of St. Brigid’s.

He was called Bright Long John. The first son-of-the-soil who could communicate with the foreigners in their strange language. He was Umuchime’s ears and mouthpiece with these strangers.

Folklore has it that he kept his bicycle ‘the only one far and wide’ in impeccable state. That the distinctive jingle of it’s bells were heard from afar when he rode down the village paths.

”What happened to him Papa?” Onyeka inquired.

”No one is sure. It is said that one day, after starting the school, he vanished.”

”A search was done but he was never found.”

”The belief is that he was kidnapped and pressed into slavery in foreign lands.”

”His bicycle was kept for him just in case he returned, but he never did.”

”Sometimes, at nights the bells of the bicycle can still be heard jingling down the village paths.”

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

In response to the FFfAW photo prompt above. Thank you Priceless Joy for this challenge platform.

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Quick Glossary

Umuchime – Means ‘the children of Chime.’ A ficticious name of a village in Eastern part of Nigeria

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Published by jacquelineobyikocha

A wordsmith with a vivid imagination, an eager mind and a burning desire to carve out tales. As I journey with my muse to that land of all possibilities and self discovery, I hope my personal evolution will serve as a beacon of inspiration for anyone who chooses to stop by.

19 thoughts on “Bright Long John…”

  1. He became a ghostly presence. Good, unexpected way to take the prompt. 🙂 It reminds me of my geography teacher at high school, who used to tell us to copy out page 33 or whatever and then disappear without trace — usually last seen carrying his cigarette and that day’s newspaper.

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      1. I’m not sure where he went Jacqueline. My guess is to the staff room. He really was the least committed teacher I ever had. He used to waltz back into class again five or ten minutes before the bell. It’s funny now, but it didn’t do much for my geography. 🙂

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  2. This is by far one of the most recreated photos I’ve seen. I love that you took this challenge and shared your results with the world and that I’m just a small part of that world who has the privilege of walking with you through these streets and hear the bicycle bells chime. Tremendous….🚴🏼🔔
    Jennie…

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  3. Well written story, Jacqueline, and a nice piece of folklore. You paint the picture of this son-of-the-soil very well. It’s sad to think that he might have been carried away into slavery in another land, but in bygone days that, unfortunately, happened all too often in Nigeria. I like the ending and the idea of Bright Long John’s ghost cycling along the village paths at night on his old bike.

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