LITTLE RYAN

 "Goodnight mom.” Ryan said, smiling in excitement as Maa Elsa tucked him into bed.

It was winter and yet another bleak night. Ryan’s mom was erudite of her son's allergy to cold. Thus, she would tuck him into bed every night with the heavily warm blanket she purchased at the nice's shop.

Being a dual parent, little Ryan was her only joy. Her fervent belief in God was however unquestionably introspective. Although she was down tunnels a thousand times, she never succumbed to tears.

"My forte is the Lord." She would say to anyone who sought her well-being.

To her, Ryan was a special aide from God and her sole responsibility was to groom him with the Christian doctrines. Ryan was only but a child, blithe, blissful and adored by all and sundry at church. Every momentary encounter with the little angel was awesomely thrilling and usually left onlookers in awe.

"His age is definitely incomparable to his wisdom.” Many people would testify to Elsa.

With little Ryan's excitement that night, the furlough had to do with the upcoming Bible quiz at church the next day. He had prepared adequately and was extra enthusiastic about the whole competition; Elsa, on the other hand, had always admired her son's guileless talkative self every time he expressed himself.

"Ryan!," There was a call, so loud that he had turned over to the opposite direction of the call's origin.

He knew it was at least past midnight but it really wasn't yet morning. The previous day was quite stressful and his plan to get enough rest was already getting distracted.

"Ryan!", The voice pierced through his already shattered dream again.

 This time, he awoke to the voice. On opening his eyes, he saw an oldman dressed in scruffy clothes and glaring at him. Surprised, he assumed it was probably a dream so he just asked,

"Please, who are you grandpa?"

"Old Nelly's my name, Ryan," He said. "The god of TengZu. I've watched and protected the world from beginning but have decided to end it all up now."

"But why grandpa?" Ryan asked impeccably as Old Nelly made to sit on the couch across the bed.

 "You, really, are vulnerable indeed!," Old Nelly said smiling. "Well you see, the evil happenings on the earth from several moons ago are now on a rampant increase. The fiefdom, I protected with so much love now feels so much bitter. I'm disappointed and inasmuch as I want to reconsider my decision, Ryan, I feel humans are not worth it. I'm in a dilemma kid, what should I do?"

Little Ryan suddenly perceived Old Nelly's affection somehow. Same look Jeff's mother wears at her son's stoic and mulish behaviour. She wished she could transform him but she just couldn't. Her worry, however, continued to thrive even though she never stopped sending litanies on his behalf.

" Actually grandpa," Ryan began as he made to sit properly, " Mom says, people like Jeff needs to be loved more, given attention and litanies just so they feel better and not bitter. Jeff, really, has been cruel to every kid in the neighbourhood so he's resented by many. But I do see the loneliness in his attitude, I know he feels resented, that's why he never stops."

"Everyone is worth giving extra chances to, grandpa. Some people need just a touch of redemption whilst others have had their touches, yet they need just another touch. Momma would say, 'never give up when any journey gets tough Ryan, do make the tough going' " Ryan giggled after mimicking his mother. Old Nelly couldn't help but smile at the little boy's sense of humour.

"Jeff's attitude, really is disappointing grandpa but even the candle that never shed its light gets quenched eventually. Humanity's existence ensures other breeds existence. To have come this far with the world and then giving it all up only makes us stalemates. I believe the only realisation humans need to make the world a better place is to let the love lead. As love surpasses all evil, so would the world feel better and safe. Moreover grandpa, it is said that a palm tree has the  best wine when it's about to die, I hope you understand." Ryan ended smiling at his lecture as Old Nelly listened intently. At least he remembered a proverb from his Akan tutorials, he thought, then laughed out.

Old Nelly was impressed, that a six year old boy, who was only human of his kind, had such good impressions of the world he felt was so bitter at the time. The hope Ryan had, had melted him to reconsider his decision. Even if all humanity was not worth it, he knew the adorable kid was.

"I'll surely think about that, Ryan." Said Old Nelly as he burst out joining Ryan laugh heartily.

"But grandpa, who di..."

                                            

"Ryan honey, wake up else you'd be late for church!" Maa Elsa cut in calling from the kitchen; one’s dream shattered or not, she actually cared less.

Ryan quickly rose and hurried off to the bath. The previous night, he thought it was so true to be a dream.

 No! Wait, was that a dream?! Ryan pondered hard hoping to get an answer then or some other day, maybe till then he knew the old man would never depart his dear heart, never!

 

- karen Edi