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.
Quick Glossary
Umuchime – Means ‘the children of Chime.’ A ficticious name of a village in Eastern part of Nigeria
a cooking pot and twisted tales 