"You are the spitting image of your father" My grandmother said to me as she prepared me to receive the first meal of the day. "It's almost uncanny. I can't imagine this must've been easy for your mother. She went through such great effort to keep you from us yet here you are"
"Yes Nana, I am here". I responded.
"So, what brings you here, my daughter?" my grandmother asked.
"I feel" I paused for a moment "drawn to this place. It's a misplaced feeling to miss someone you've never known".
"You've chosen your words carefully, my daughter. I can see you inherited Tano's wisdom as well". She smiled at me as she pinched my cheek softly. "You have also inherited your mother's captivating beauty. If someone had described you to me, I wouldn't have believed me. It makes me proud that my line continues. Children are important and you my dear are home".
I smiled back. It felt natural.
"I'm sure you have questions. You can ask me three this time. Choose carefully". I had pictured this moment several times in my mind so I knew exactly what I wanted to know.
"How was my dad like?"
"Tano!" My grandmother exclaimed and then broke into laughter. "Before, he became the god of war and justice he was a mischievous little boy'
"Really?" I chimed
" Yes yes. Do you the story of how the mortals got to know of fufu?" my grandmother asked.
"I've heard some versions but I'm sure yours is the most correct version" I sealed with a chuckle.
'You're dead-right. I was there" She clears her throat before continuing. "Back then fufu was a meal reserved for us. Mortals had no access to it. Fufu was Tano's favourite meal. He would eat it for breakfast, lunch and supper. He would eat it as a snack and even a dessert. He spent his early boyhood mastering the art of fufu pounding. He could use his hands, feet and need be head to pound fufu"
'Eiiiiii Nana!" I exclaimed.
"I'm telling you. He spent all his time pounding fufu when the weather was clear. He would pound his precious fufu as he pounded enthusiastically. In those days, the rain used to fall without giving notice and this was one of the few things that could send him of into a raging tempest of a fit. He would argue the Nsuo bosom about how they were always being inconsiderate. Their arguments would go on for days because neither side would relent. So, on one day, he decided to do something about it. He made a special pestle from the ofram tree and its mortar from teak. After that he flew into the heavens and made a seat out of the clouds to sit on. With the wave of his left hand, he provided plantain and with the wave of his right, he provided cassava. Then he began to pound"
"No wayyy for how long?"
" Ha! You're getting ahead of yourself gentle river. Tano pounded with immense power that the clouds began to rumble with force. With every hit, the clouds boomed in a low growl. The Nsuo bosom were so upset that they decided they were going to teach him a lesson. Tano didn't care, he just kept at it and then cloud's low grumble became more aggressive. Tano had created thunder without knowing it. The clouds darkened and the clouds became heavy with rain. The Nsuo bosom filled the air with tiny sparks of fire meant to launch flaming arrows on Tano. With the wave of his left leg, he created a wave which transformed those tiny sparks of fire into electricity. With a mighty blow from his ofram pestle, he transformed electricity into lightning. And just like that the rain began to fall"
"That's pretty impressive for boy-wonder"
"Indeed. Tano had learned how to control the storm. He gave the Nsuo bosom a stern warning and made them promise to always give a sign before dropping down"
"Wow! That's one hell of a story"
"That's just the kind of person that your father was. He was fierce as he was powerful but he was also passionate. I see that same passion in your eyes" I tried to look away but I couldn't.
"You are your father and you are your mother. I can teach you how to access his energy'
I took a step back not believing my ears. "You mean there's a way to bring him back?"
"No, my dear child. What's lost is lost. Death has its role and so does life. What I mean is you carry a significant portion of your father. The heart that beats within you is his. He is closer to you than you think. All you need to do is ask"
"Okay Nana. I want to meet my father".