‘Hullabaloo at ‘The River Between!’

By Ebenezer T. Bifubyeka.

CATS and kittens are purring. Cocks are crowing. Dogs and bitches are backing. Donkeys are braying. Elephants are trumpeting. Lions and lionesses are roaring, leopards and leopardesses are growling and monkeys are chattering!

On the opposite side, across the river, owls are hooting. Wolves are howling. Pigs are grunting. Frogs are croaking. Goats and sheep are bleating. Snakes are hissing. Bees are humming and horses are neighing. I hold my breath. Then I wonder: are these ‘guys’ in a picnic?

What rare rhythms they create! My eyes can’t resist the temptation of staring at the startling and ear-deafening clamours – emanating from the two hordes. This is strange. Strange but amazing! I wish I carried a camera. What an unprepared international environmental journalist I am!

Serving as an international boundary for Uganda and DR Congo, the silent River Semuliki bravely and comfortably flows between these concurrent cries of nature. Ululating and enchanting, the creatures’ choruses reverberate like their voices are electronically amplified! Are they communicating to each other? Are they praising God? Is this the Biblical end of time?

The incessant enthralling hubbub persists, prompting me to raise eyebrows! The creatures suddenly halt screaming like some mighty leader has shushed them!

Oh, what an astonishing combination of songs! Are these beautiful creatures entertaining me or they are in a singing-competition? Many questions linger in my mind, the outstanding one being, ‘Do leaders conserve this gift of nature?’ Then my eyes suddenly open! Have I been dreaming?

Ends.
Word count: 245.