In the Jubilee year of the Mongoose King, the resident male mongooses got together to celebrate and boost the morale of the Kingdom holding its own against the jackals, the snakes and the birds of prey. Small in stature, their strength was in their unity and unwavering support for the King.
Migwi the mongoose was happy to receive his invitation to the palace, though it was for the common townsfolk. There would be plenty of tasty food and the atmosphere of jolly camaraderie the mongooses enjoy so much.
“I know you,” said his wife. “Once you leave this burrow so I cannot see, you start carousing and behaving like a rascal again. Please remember me while you’re gone.”
This angered the husband. “How can you say that my love? Have I ever shown you disrespect in all these years?”
“No, my darling. I am sorry.”
“I also happen to know that the King is looking for new civil officers to replace the old guard. This jubilee may be our opportunity for the good life.”
The history and appearance of the palace was a story unto itself but suffice to say the mongooses had done a marvellous job carving and shaping the existing rock formations to their need in addition to having a well-organized burrow system for underground housing and food storage. Migwi entered the premises along with a herd of his townsfolk, buzzing with excitement.
The chatter quieted as the Mongoose King in all his prestige appeared. The king gave a short welcome speech and disappeared to the inner chamber reserved for the upper echelon, the tables filled with food and drink thus becoming the main event. Migwi made sure not to put too much or too little on his plate, knowing the food was there to be enjoyed but within limits. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
As the hour grew late, the voices became louder and some of the guests were heard cracking jokes about the grandiose looking mud sculptures of the palace room and even the fine linen cape of the Mongoose King himself. Migwi moved away from the rabble and struck a conversation with the officers who were overseeing the party. An ardent sports mongoose, he was happy to find much in common with the skilled game hunters of the King’s clique.
Migwi’s wise and respectful conduct was clearly observed by the senior officers. When the jubilee celebrations were over, he was told he might be summoned before the King in the near future.
And so Migwi returned home with much to be happy for. He had not only carried himself with poise and dignity, but he had also made the best of the opportunity to perchance become a civil officer.
That called for celebration with the little wife in the safety and comfort of their little burrow.
“Remember my dear, once sworn in, you will no longer be able to crack bad jokes on serious matters,” the wife said, pouring the fruit wine.
“Yes, no more bad jokes, my sweet. The Mongoose King will never know what a fool he is letting a rascal like me join his inner circle. Where’s my harp? Mfalme ni bingwa, mfalme ni shujaa…” 🎶
The next day Migwi was summoned back to the palace much like he had anticipated, but this time the atmosphere was different. The Mongoose King sat on his throne with a stern look on his face.
“Migwi, it has come to our knowledge that you have behaved unworthy of for our officer in training,” the King said. “Therefore, we have decided to relieve you of your citizenship duties altogether.”
“But that’s not fair, Your Majesty!” crumbled Migwi. “The other guests were the ones behaving like that. Unlike them, I never said a word until I got home, and I only said it in jest.”
“That may be so, but you were the one wanting to become the King’s officer,” was the reply. “We put you in close surveillance hoping you’d prove yourself worthy of the special consideration, but the birds outside your burrow reported you made fun of the King and sang unsavory songs about him. That is inexcusable. King’s officers are on duty every hour of the day and behavior such as yours risks putting the Kingdom in peril. Guards, take him away!”
Migwi and his family were escorted outside the gates of the Mongoose Kingdom and were told never to return. If they perchance found their fortune in the desolate wilderness, the annals of the Mongoose King do not tell.
The moral of this story is found in Ecclesiastes 10:20, “Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.” (KJV)
God bless you, Dear Reader.
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