Arrow for Bong
(Summary)
The haunting desert of Kalahari in Africa is noted for ankole cattles haunters. All the men, young and old haunt for a living. To the ankole cattles hunters, the arrow is their best friend. But to get one is not easy. The arrow is a symbol of bravery. One has to prove he is a brave hunter before he can get his prize.
Bong, like all the other boys in the village, wanted an arrow more than anything else in the world. He could run, but he could not run quickly and longer than few seconds. So he just a watcher.
Bong was ashamed of himself. He had always pitied himself every time his elder brother, Kad, made fun of him. Until Bong get angry and he punch his brother Kad ounce, and they fight each other.
“Bong will never deserve his arrow. He will always be watching all his life.” Kad laughed.
The boys’ father was the best ankole cattles haunter in the village. Kad took after him.
It was evening, Bong climb up the tree. “Tomorrow, I shall stay in the desert and I will run quickly and longer in just few seconds.” Bong always told himself. “I’ll have my own spear very soon,” he thought and sighed. But days came and went. Still Bong had not earned his spear.
One morning only the boys went to the desert plain. Their father did not well that day. Thus their father told them to haunt, even though his not with them.
The boys go to the place where Ankole cattles are resting. Kad called his brother as he run and throw his spear toward a deer, but Kad slide down and hit his kneecap by a rock, all the deer got escaped. Then the lion slowly appeared and roared, seems liked it was hungry.
Bong doesn’t mind his brother. He didn’t even watch his brother. Because he knew that his brother can make it on his own. That’s why he didn’t noticed what was happening to his brother Kad.
Suddenly, he heard his brother yelling to him, and asking for his help. As he saw, his brother’s life was in danger!
Bong had to save his brother. There was a chance that the lion might not attack if Bong simply ignored it. His mouth trembling as he goes nearer to his brother just to save him. He did not turn his head when the lion move closer. Without any sign of fair he gets his brother’s arrow, he carries his brother at his back and he run.
He had never run as quickly as this before. The lion follows them. Bong remembered what his father had said about lions. Lions are not really as frightful as they seem. They are afraid of brave people.
At ounce Bong, put down his brother on the ground and raised the arrow of his hand. The lion jump to them but he didn’t hesitate to throw with strength his arrow toward the lion. He hit the lion’s mouth; the lion fall down and died.
Kad opened his eyes and smiled weakly at Bong. His smile was full of love and admiration. “Thank you, brother, “he said. Thank you, brother.”Bong smiled back. Suddenly Bong felt very tired. His body ached but he had to return home with his brother. So he carries his brother at his back and returned to their home.
The next morning when Bong woke up, he found an arrow on his sleeping mat. His father stood looking down at him. There was love and pride in his eyes. “You will be the fine haunter, my son,” his father said. Bong closed his eyes as a great wave of happiness rushed through him.
