The children had no idea that someone was coming to see us. They had carried on with their routine charges. Some had washed the dishes while others swept and tidied the house as usual while I prepared breakfast. My little nephew, Dena, was up and about, playing in company with his cousin, Somtochukwu.
Just as we had rounded off our breakfast, my girl, Kemi, came to announce the arrival of a visitor. I was prepared to receive him; it was Uncle Chukwuma.
“Children,” I ordered, “please, tidy up the dining table since you are done with your meals because we have a visitor”.
The announcement came as a surprise to them. Yes, they may be young but their domestic prowess and ability to arrange the house in critical moments like this is simply amazing. Within a twinkle of an eye, everything was in its proper place. Their ring leader was Kosi. She can fix up a scattered apartment in minutes.
I had smartly delayed bringing him inside so the children could put their acts together
“Good morning, sir,” they chorused. They were excited to host him.
He responded; the exchange of pleasantries was warm and quite friendly.
It was time for introduction. He asked them their names and their meanings. All the children bear our local names. Kosi, Kamsi, Kaisha, Somtochukwu and Dena. The older ones were able to tell the meaning of their names.
“Do you know the meaning of Somtochukwu?” Uncle Chukwuma asked my little nephew. He shook his head with a shy smile. “You have a beautiful name. It simply means, come, let us thank the Lord,” Uncle Chukwuma told him.
They all laughed. The next person was Dena. “Now, what is the meaning of Dena?” While the four-year-old lad stood still, thinking of what best to say, I bailed him out by telling our guest that it’s an Hausa name given to him by his grandmother. Dena’s mother hails from Southern Kaduna
“Now, uncle, what is your own name?” Kamsi fired the first salvo.
“Yes, uncle, we have told you our names but we don’t know your name,” Kosi joined in.
“Sure, I will tell you.” Now, what’s your name? He directed at Kaisha.
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Smiling, the little girl said, “my name is Kaisha”. Uncle Chukwuma, who was visibly enjoying the game with kids mistook the name for Aisha. I interrupted when the girl pronounced the name severally but it still didn’t sink. I told him that it’s our native name and gave him the meaning.
“Oh, yes, that’s a pretty name with deep meaning. Now, children, you should always ask your mother what your name means. You all have beautiful names.” He complimented.
He pleaded with me to tell them the meaning of their names from time to time. “It is important,” he reminded me.
“Hope you are enjoying your holidays and mummy is taking care of you?”
“Yes,” little Dena said.
“So, where have you visited since you came on holidays?”
They revealed some of the places they had been to. Each recalled his experience. The conversation with Uncle Chukwuma had become so much fun. He too, was enjoying every bit of it.
Kosi relieved her experience of her journey to Ghana some years ago on their school excursion. The man asked her questions about some places of interest. They both exchanged notes on different places of fun.
“Wow, this means you really took note of the places you went to in Ghana. I am quite impressed. I hope you enjoyed it?” He asked and she responded in the affirmative.
“So, what’s your name now?” He again directed to Kaisha, who had all along been observing but quickly reminded him of his promise to tell them his name.
In sheer excitement that he was going to tell them, the children had become noisy, asking him different questions. His effort to calm them down was fruitful.
He said, “my name is Chukwuma. It is an Igbo name.” “Uncle Chukwuma,” they called out. Their quest was over. “Yes, that’s it,” he affirmed.
Not satisfied with that, Somto reminded him that he should also reciprocate by telling them the meaning of his name.
“Oh, yes, I will tell you. The meaning of my name is, God knows it all.”
Kosi revealed that her cousin’s name is Chukwuma and he lives in Port Harcourt with his parents. It was obvious they were having fun, as their conversation flowed
Uncle Chukwuma needed to refuel. It was obvious that this unending chat with about five active kids had unnerved him, especially since he had barely sat down before they engaged him.
“Can I have water and maybe, some biscuits, please?”
“Of course,” I said.
“Uncle, are you hungry?” One of the children asked.
“Yes, but not really but I just want something to chew,” he told the boy.
“But don’t worry. I think I have some biscuits here. Just get me water only, please.” I fetched a bottle of water for him.
As he made to take a piece of the biscuits, Dena reminded him innocently about the need to pray before eating.
“But Uncle, do you eat without praying? Our auntie in the school told us that we must always pray before eating.”
“And also thank God for giving us the food, after eating,” Somto added
“Yes, it is right. We must always pray before eating and also thank God when we finish eating. So, you cannot eat your biscuits now because you have not prayed,” UncleChukwuma nodded in consonance.
“Let us pray naa. Uncle, close your eyes naa,” came Kamsi’s commanding tone. They had all surrounded him on the couch.
“Ok, I have closed them. Go on.”
kaisha began the prayer. “Oh Lord, thank you for what we are about to receive. We thank you for providing for us. We pray that you give to those that have no food to eat. Bless us, oh Lord through Christ, our Lord.” They all chorused, Amen.
“Thank you very much. Now, I can eat it?” Chukwuma asked.
“Thank you, children.”
“Children, where would you like me to take you to?” At the pronouncement of an outing, the sitting room again became noisy with each suggesting where he would like to go. They were divided in their choice. Some wanted Shoprite, others wanted Chicken Republic.
“Ok, get ready, let’s go out. I want to take you on a treat to wherever you want.”
They all ran into the room. Within minutes, they were ready to go.
“Mummy, are you not going?” Someone asked.
“I think your mum is the one delaying us now. It doesn’t look like she is ready to go.”
Sensing the children’s impatience and eagerness to go, anything that would stall this jolly ride would be resisted. I quickly changed into my casual outing garb and off we drove to Justrite, a supermarket located within the neighbourhood. It was fun watching them pick all they wanted, from sweets to provisions. They were visibly happy, as we left the supermarket. It was all thanks to Uncle Chukwuma.
“Thank you Uncle, thank you, Uncle,” rent the air, as he drove off. He too, had obviously enjoyed the kids’ company just like I did.
