The Nigerian Joseph

{DISCLAIMER: This story is purely a work of fiction that was inspired by a real incident which happened thousands of years ago. Please note that only the names of the main characters are real. Scenes and events are purely figments of the author’s imagination.}

***

In a town called Kwaje somewhere in Southern Nigeria, Jacob and his sons lived as ranchers. Jacob had two wives – or four wives – depending on the context.  He had twelve sons and a daughter. Everyone got along until Joseph perfected the art of snitching.

***

Levi’s eyes flashed as he searched for his brothers. Joseph’s character always reminded him of a leaky bucket which never failed to drip out its content. He wondered if his mother scalded his mouth with lace. He scoffed. Even Dinah knew when to keep quiet. 

“Wetin happen?” Simeon asked the moment he spotted him. (What happened?)

“Your brother has started again ooo?”  

“Which one of them?”

“Joseph na.”

“Ha. What did he tell Dad this time?”

“He told Dad about Aisha.”

Simeon whistled. 

“Very serious. Dad went ahead to meet Hilda’s parent on my behalf. He told them I wish to get married as soon as possible.”

“You’re done for, Bro,” Simeon laughed.

“I know. How will I tell Dad I was not serious with Hilda?”

“The same way you told him you were not serious with Jasmine, Kiara, Lola, and the lady with a dimple.”

“I shouldn’t have told you. You’re not helping me.”

“I can’t when you keep leaving loose ends all the time. You can play with these ladies without bringing them home.”

“I had to. I needed them to think I was serious.”

“Sure. I bet you can see where that led you.”

“I guess I’ll have to run away.”

“Please do. Your absence will only make life easier. I get to have more than my normal share that way.”

“I hate you.”

Simeon laughed. “You know you don’t. On a more serious note, I think you’ll just have to play along with this if you don’t want to start suffering unnecessarily. You’ve invested a lot in your work with Dad and it wouldn’t make sense for you to allow it go down the drain.”

“Joseph has ruined my life.”

“Always listen when I tell you to learn from me. I’m a pro at keeping my business private.”

Simeon turned and found Judah watching him with pitiful eyes.

“When did you get here?”

“Some moments ago. I didn’t want to interrupt your conversation.”

“That’s alright. It will interest you to know Joseph’s newest victim is Levi. That guy is insatiable. Getting Reuben, Gad, Naphtali and you into Dad’s bad books was not enough. He had to add Levi to the list.”

“Levi is not Joseph’s latest victim. Dad is more disappointed in his latest victim than he was when Joseph told him Reuben slept with Dan’s mum.”

Simeon frowned slightly, “Which one of us is his latest victim?”

“You.”

He swayed on his feet. The voices around him drowned as his knees gave way

***

Two weeks later.

Judah stirred his horse towards the place his brothers sat. His ears caught fragments of their conversation and his interest grew. If they were talking about what he thought, then it wasn’t a good thing.

“That boy is seriously a spoilt brat,” Naphtali said.

Asher sneezed and Zebulun patted him on the back.

Gad shook his head. “Spoilt brat is an understatement. He lacks respect. If you see the way he talks to Brother Reuben. He just opens his mouth like an automated robot and talks anyhow.”

Judah dismounted. “What’s up?”

“You’ve obviously not heard about the dreamer’s latest dream.”

Judah raised his brow, “He dreamt again?”

“Yeah. But this time, he dreamt that he will be greater than Father.”

“He is not satisfied with being greater than us, right?”

“Yeah, it seems so,” Issachar said.

“He is trying to say he will inherit everything that belongs to Father.”

“Exactly.”

“Brother Reuben, what do you think of this?” Judah asked.

Reuben shrugged and continued sharpening his knife.

“You won’t say anything abi?” (right?)

Simeon sighed. “Leave him, Judah. He is just like Father. The only difference is his loyalty lies with us.”

Reuben’s hands stilled as he returned Simeon’s gaze. His lips twitched and he dropped his eyes. He wasn’t going to add to his wrongs by turning against the boy their Father loves the most.

“Is there something we can do about that boy?” Levi bristled. “I’m getting married to that … that…”

“That what?” Simeon asked. 

“That dour-faced girl because of him.”

“Keep quiet, Levi. That is no way to talk about your fiancee.”

“My fiancee?” Levi threw his hands in the air. “My fiancee indeed. I swear to you, if I slap Joseph once, his brain will go on a compulsory holiday.”

“The slapping machine,” Dan teased.

Levi frowned. “Will you shut your mouth?”

“Sorry. I was just pulling your legs.”

“In case you didn’t notice, this is a bad time.” Levi looked at Judah. “What can we do?”

“Nothing short of getting rid of him will give us peace.”

“What?” they chorused.

"What will we do if the police get to know and we get imprisoned?” Dan got up and left.

“Dad is a very intelligent man. He’ll take one look at me and see the guilt written there. I can’t do it.” Naphtali left.

Reuben stood, “Irrespective of his craziness, he is still our brother. Gad, you don’t have the heart for this. Let’s go.”

“Brother Reuben is right. I’m leaving too,” Asher said.

“Did you mean what you said?” Naphtali asked.

“Yes,” Judah replied.

“I guess I’m also out. I’ve gotten into enough trouble to last a lifetime.”

Issachar stood, “Naphtali, wait up. Let’s leave together.”

Zebulon stylishly got up and walked towards Judah’s horse.

“Brother Judah, I want to check on the cattle grazing along the stream. Can I take your horse?”

“You’re leaving and you want to take my horse?”

“The stream is several miles from here and walking back to the house to get a horse will take a chunk of my time.”

“You can take it. Just make sure to return her in a better condition.”

“Yes, boss.”

“What about you, Levi? Will you also leave?”

“I don’t want you to see it as leaving. If you exclude Benjamin who is everyone’s favourite and Dinah whose heart is too soft for my liking, we all want to get rid of Joseph. I think having ten people witness a murder is not a very wise thing to do. What will happen if one of us decides to speak up?” 

Judah sighed. “You’re correct.”

“Think of a way to get rid of him without having his blood spilt and we’ll all support you. You have Dad’s brains and I know you can do it. Just let me know so we can perfect it before presenting it to others.”

“I will.”

I hope you enjoyed it. I wanted to write a story which will engage the reader's imagination. Think of an ending to this story and send it to [email protected] The best write-up(s) will be published on the blog. Thank you.

Click Here to read The Nigerian Joseph 2 written by Sisi Ariya.

© Adenike Oni 2020.

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