THE VILLAGE WELL

It was 4 p.m., and the sun had begun to set. The weather was pleasant and suitable for a walk.

I took a deep breath as I stepped outside the gate and looked down the street slightly uphill from our house. The trees in the surrounding area and the houses built around them made the environment beautiful due to the abundance of nature. Not to mention the mountains and the lovely stream that is close to the farms and the area where the villagers keep animals because one of the rules governing the village operations is that anyone who wants to breed animals other than chickens will always be given a place; this location is isolated from the residential area. You can only keep any feathered animal at home. Interestingly, no theft involving the animals has ever been reported.

I was beholding the beauty of the surrounding landscape when I heard my name called from the house. Could you come out here and meet me? I replied calmly.

Upon exiting the gate, my friend gave me a look that suggested I had taken his shirt. Why are you staring at me that way?

"Is that how you so much like the village environment?" he asked, walking toward me with his eyes fixed on me.

I grinned in agreement with his remarks.

"Just glancing at your face says everything. Since you enjoy nature this much, why not move to the village and live here? At that, we both chuckled.

While joking and conversing, we noticed people moving rather quickly. A considerable number passed by occasionally, and others did the same. The last set ran after those who passed by which aroused my curiosity.

I asked my friend what the tension was and he told me not to bother because I should not consider developing my interest in it. I persisted in wanting to know what was happening, though.

He hesitated at first, but then he spoke.

"I guess someone's house is about to be on fire..." I interrupted him by yelling fire!

"That kind of fire is not it. They are not even heading to someone's house. They are heading to the village well.”

What for?

"To roast the victim."

Did you say roast?

"Mm-hm, they are going to chew this person up. It is not advisable to become involved with the village well. That is where a lot happens.

 You see the family of that man you asked about the other day... "

Yes.

“That is the beginning of what made that family the way it is. It all began there for the other woman who had to relocate to the nearby village. The fight that resulted in the breakup of those two longtime friends and the chaos currently existing in our neighbour's house originated there.

Every argument, conflict, split, and collapse that has ever occurred in this village continues to have its roots at that well.”

You do not mean it?

"You see everyone rushing over there? As it’s being said, “Evil news spreads fast like wildfire.” One person took the responsibility of spreading it and the rest are running there for more detailed information and what they receive there will end up being a twisted one because the victims had never been given room to be heard or reasoned with nor given any benefit of doubt.

So, to cut the whole thing short, once you’re unlucky your name or issue is tabled there it only takes God to save you… If not, you are done for.”

But how did you get to know all these?

“Because I nearly fell victim to such circumstances. It was God that saved me.”

Ha, wow! That’s a serious matter.

“But you know what?”

What is it?

“It’s not only in the village that there’s a well, even the city has it. In different communities and social circles, there are wells.”

What do you mean by that? Mostly wells are dug in the village.

“I’m speaking metaphorically.

The thing is, as long as there are mouths to speak, mouths to judge and mouths to spread the words, that makes it a well not because it’s a village. Those things are what made it to be called the village well. Aren’t there other wells located in the village?”

Do you know I never thought of that? Funny enough once you mention “the village well” it is that particular one that people always go straight to.

“The people and the affairs surrounding it gave it that name. Hey, even on social media we have wells so don’t just point fingers at this particular village well because there are so many wells out there.”

Hmm, where profitable connections that can build and enhance fruitful relationships can be made now serving as a weapon of destruction.

If only shoes are shared, shoulders to be lent, hands to be offered and heads to be joined, things would be better and more interesting.

“You can say that again. I’m even tired of it all already.”

There’s no place you’ll go to that there are no wells. But the thing is, see how you can be better not being a part of it and how to rescue others from being a part of it.

At six, all those running towards the well started heading back in groups of random numbers with their mouths busy as they made gestures with their hands. Two guys came passing and stopped by wanting to give an update, my friend politely declined the offer as to not being interested in whatever went down there and asked that we get into the house because the chances of others coming with the same offer is high.

I was muffled by the negative energy those people spread in the area that evening. We later had a barbecue at the back of the house talking about work and other stuff which helped make the bad energy dissipate.

It was quite an evening but it felt good at the end of it.