Vice was our village cow, well known for producing milk in abundance. It would give milk tenfold an average village cow could. As a family we had only Vice as a milk producing cow but our neighbors had more than one say three four or five, but we had more than enough milk for the family.
My mom was one generous woman in the compound. She would either give the needy either raw milk or well prepared cud. With all this people liked Vice, I thought. We had more than two incidents where Vice was attacked.
On the first incident she was striked with a spear on the neck but the attacker missed the sensitive veins, arteries and the air tract. Many people marveled on how daring can someone attempt to destroy such a helpful asset.
On the second attempt a man from the neighboring village led Vice home and told us that two boys led Vice up the slippery mountain and forced it to go down which would obviously result to it’s death. He described the two boys and we knew them. They were also the beneficiaries who ate the milk from Vice. I wanted to confront the two boys because they were of my age, about thirteen, and I was confident that I will win the fight. However, my mom said I shouldn’t fight instead she ordered absolute silence about the issue which we did with so much hurt and pain.
Life continued as usual as if nothing had happened, exactly two months after the incident Vice was found dead hit evidently the attacker could have used an axe, killing the animal on the spot. Villagers tried to trace the foot prints but in vain. It was suspect after suspect each denying responsibility. It was a painful scenario to us as a family, it was like a person has been lost. All neighbors joined us in the mourning of Vice. Our Christian tradition forbids us to eat meat from a beast killed in that manner. My mom (my father had long gone hence not mentioned in the narrative) ordered that Vice be skinned and be shared among villagers. That’s what happened, I pained so much seeing the two boys who tried push Vice down the mountain receive their share. Again mom gave stern orders that we should not make mistake of confronting anyone.
Life became very difficult for us as a family, every villager young or old became a suspect of the Vice incident and a fresh threat to our own lives. Walking in the bush became something, nights became too long while the day became too short. Mom looked strong but the fact that she invited pastors every night to give a prayer said it all. It was during this period I remembered everyday that we had no father.
Days kept going but memories and retrospection became the order of the day. We grew but trusted no one until we became the pillars of the same community. With the guidance of our mother and of course of God up to date we continue to diligently serve the community. The two boys mentioned above one have since passed on while the other one is living under severe distress of poverty but we continue to give a hand so he survives but alcohol is deterring our efforts.
WHILE THE STORY IS BASED ON A TRUE BACKGROUND OF THE WRITER BELOW IS THE MORAL TEACHING….
- Always know that your worst enemies are those eating with you in that same plate, always think of Judas Iscariot.
- Always take serious consideration of what we always term poor and old school advices from our parents they go with spiritual blessings (Proverbs 4:20)
- Revenge is not for men but for God. The weak choose to revenge while the strong and focused pray (Romans 12:19)
- No pain will last forever, time and patience becomes the best healer. We can not talk of time in isolation to God the Creator of both time and men. He is there to heal our wounds (Psalms 147:3).
- Whatever difficult situation you are going through today our God the Lord of the universe, who is also your God who loves you is at work making a man or woman who will be relevant to the context of tomorrow (John 14:2/Jeremiah 29:11-13)
- As long you are meaningful and productive in life you don’t only belong to your immediate
family but to the village or community above but that doesn’t mean you will get the best from them. That should not stop you from performing, leave the rest to God.
Thank you for reading
Written by
Dr. V Moyo
(Strategist & Theologian)
Doc V Moyo 
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