Chinaza Ezugwu @china

I remember when my cousin got that big, lovable, furry dog. It was just a little pup when it came into our lives, and I immediately formed a bond with it. We spent countless hours playing, running around, and just enjoying each other's company. As the years went by, that dog became a constant companion, always by my side, eagerly waiting for me to return home from school.

I love the moments we spent together, and I made sure to take it for long walks, exploring the neighborhood and creating memories along the way. I couldn't imagine a day without its warm welcome, wagging tail, and slobbery kisses.

However, as time passed, I noticed changes in the dog's behavior. It started to become more irritable and aggressive, especially towards strangers. It was about 14 years old when it began lashing out, biting two visitors, and even my cousin. Despite my deep connection with the dog, I knew it was a serious issue that needed to be addressed.

My mom warned me to be cautious around the dog, but I couldn't bear the thought of severing the bond we had built. I continued to take it for walks and gave it all the love and attention I could offer. It was a conflicting situation, torn between the strong bond we shared and the increasing danger it posed to others.

Eventually, the situation came to a head, and my cousin made the tough decision to sell the dog. It was a heartbreaking moment for me, saying goodbye to a friend who had been by my side for so many years. The love and memories remained, but it was a necessary step for everyone's safety.

I woke up this morning with a sense of urgency. We were supposed to have a lecture starting from 10:00 am today. As I hurried around, I realized I was lagging in time, so I skipped breakfast and hastily made my way to school. Little did I know, that was the beginning of my plights for the day.

Arriving at the school, my classmates and I were informed that the lecturer had moved the supposed lecture to 1:00 pm. Hunger was creeping in on me, but it wasn't too serious at that point. So I decided to hang on until the first lecture was over.

Time seemed to drag on slowly, and by 1:30 pm, the lecturer finally arrived and commenced the lecture. My stomach couldn't bear its thirstiness for food, and it grumbled, making it difficult to concentrate.

I silently prayed for the lecture to end so that I could go find something to eat. Finally, when the lecture did end, to my dismay, another lecturer took over immediately.

My stomach's growls were becoming more audible, and my face must have shouted hunger. After a seemingly endless class that ended by 3:00 pm, I could finally eat.

I remember the day we had an old school dressing day in my faculty like it was yesterday. The whole idea had been brewing for a while, and as one of the student organizers, I was thrilled to see it finally coming to life. It was a chance for us to step back in time and embrace the fashion and styles of previous decades, and I couldn't wait to see how everyone would interpret the theme.

In the days leading up to the event, excitement buzzed through the campus. The air was filled with whispers and plans as students scoured closets and thrift stores in search of the perfect vintage outfits. As for me, I found myself diving into my parents' old photo albums, seeking inspiration from their youthful fashion choices.

When the big day arrived, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation. As I made my way to the faculty building, I was greeted by a riot of color and an eclectic mix of fashion that spanned the ages. The campus seemed to be a kaleidoscope of different eras - there were poodle skirts and leather jackets from the 50s, bell-bottoms and tie-dye from the 70s, and neon tracksuits from the 80s, to name just a few.

I had decided to embrace the jazz age of the 1920s, and I felt like I had stepped out of a time machine. In a sleek, fringed flapper dress and a feathered headband, I felt like a character from The Great Gatsby, transported into the 21st century. As I strolled through the crowds, I couldn't help but smile at the effort and creativity that had gone into everyone's outfits.

The old school dressing day was more than just a chance to play dress-up; it was an opportunity for us to connect with the past, to appreciate the timeless appeal of vintage fashion, and to celebrate the rich tapestry of styles that had come before us. It was a day filled with laughter, nostalgia, and a sense of camaraderie as we marveled at each other's outfits and shared stories of the bygone eras we were channeling.

As the day drew to a close, I felt a sense of gratitude for the experience. It had been a reminder that fashion has the power to transcend time, and that by looking back, we can find inspiration for the future. The old school dressing day had brought the campus together in a playful, unique way, and it was a day that would be fondly remembered for years to come.

I had never seen a peafowl, except in pictures and on screen. I had always admired the striking beauty of these creatures and longed to witness them up close. My chance came when I visited my uncle in Benue.

Benue was filled with sprawling forests and pathways, where people hunted a variety of wild animals, displaying their catches at the local markets. During my travels, I saw an array of wildlife, from crocodiles to antelopes, cheetahs, and pheasants. Each one was a new and fascinating sight.

But then, as we meandered through the dense woodland, I caught a glimpse of something truly spectacular. In the distance, I spotted what I believed to be a peafowl. I couldn't contain my excitement as I pressed closer to the vehicle's window. And sure enough, there it was, a peafowl, proudly displaying its vibrant and iridescent plumage. It was a breathtaking sight.

The peafowl's feathers glistened in the dappled sunlight, creating a mesmerizing display of colors – a sight that I had only ever seen in pictures. I was eager to capture the moment and ensure I had a keepsake of this rare encounter. But as I reached for my phone, I hesitated, realizing it could easily be snatched from me in this unfamiliar place.

Reluctantly, I put my phone away, choosing to imprint the scene in my memory instead. As we slowly moved away, I stole one last glance at the stunning peafowl, feeling a sense of peace and contentment at having witnessed such a magnificent creature in its natural habitat.

Although I couldn't capture the moment on camera, the memory of that enchanting sight stayed with me long after I left Benue. It served as a reminder of the extraordinary beauty waiting to be discovered in the world around us. Seeing the peafowl was an experience I would always cherish, and it inspired me to seek out more moments of untainted wonder and joy, wherever my adventures may take me.

In the grasshopper kingdom, there was a big meeting. All the grasshoppers gathered in a big field to discuss something important. They wanted to find a way to gather enough food to last them until the next season.

One of the older and wiser grasshoppers stood on a tall flower and called for everyone's attention. "We need to come up with a plan to get plenty of food," the wise grasshopper said. "The humans have a lot of crops, and we need to make sure we can hop high and sneakily to get to the yummy plants before they do."

All the younger grasshoppers listened intently as the plan was discussed. They talked about how to jump really high and fast so the humans wouldn't see them. They also chattered about how to work together to gather as much food as possible. Some suggested hopping in a certain pattern, while others thought of ways to distract the humans.

After a lot of hopping and chattering, the grasshoppers finally came up with a plan. "We will start our big gathering in July!" one of the grasshoppers exclaimed. "It's the perfect time to begin our mission to get all the delicious food for ourselves."

Excited and motivated, the grasshoppers nodded in agreement. They were ready for their adventure to begin. The grasshoppers huddled together, counting down the days until July. It was going to be an exciting and daring journey for the grasshopper kingdom.

Some days ago, I decided to head back to my university after spending a relaxing night at a place close to the campus. The sun hadn't yet risen as I set out on my way, and I loved the peace of the early morning.

As I approached the university gates, I was met with a strangely empty campus. Where were all the students? Had I missed some kind of announcement? It seemed unreal that no one was around, especially on a weekday during the second week of the semester.

It slowly dawned on me, it was actually Sunday! I had somehow mixed up the days and come back a day early. This ridiculous realization made me chuckle. There I was, ready to dive back into the world of academia, while the rest of the student body was enjoying a well-deserved day off. If only I had checked the calendar more carefully.

For a brief moment, I considered simply heading back to my temporary abode and enjoying another day of home-cooked meals and relaxation. The thought of returning to the comfort of home was tempting, but I knew I couldn't procrastinate the inevitable return to my studies for much longer. After a good laugh at my own expense, I turned around and decided to make the best of my return a day early.

As I strolled back to my temporary dwelling, chuckling at my own confusion, I promised myself that I would pay more attention to the calendar next time. After all, it wouldn't do to continue to mix up the days and miss out on the opportunity to savor those home-cooked goodies for a while longer.

Who should I blame?, it was over seriousness that caused it.

As I stood by and watched, three men were hard at work, each with their own task in the daunting mission of bringing down this towering presence in our community.

One of the men was fervently digging out the soil around the roots of the Palm tree, his face contorted with concentration and effort. The second was perched up on a higher ground, cutting off the root branches that extended further. Meanwhile, the third man skillfully tied a sturdy rope around the base of the palm tree's stem, making sure it was secure and tight.

At first, it seemed like a straightforward and easy job, with the men methodically and confidently going about their tasks. But as the minutes turned into an hour, it became evident that this was no easy feat. I found myself drawn closer to the scene, curious as to what was causing the delay.

Upon closer inspection, I discovered that the stubborn roots were putting up a fierce fight, bouncing back the blades of the tools and resisting the men's efforts to sever them. It was a testament to the resilience and strength of nature, and I couldn't help but be startled at how stubborn the tree was.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the men dropped their tools and gathered around the rope. They began to chant in unison, their voices mixing in unison of ridiculous and determined phrases, as they pulled forcefully on the rope at intervals of three seconds.

The tree began to sway, and for a moment, it seemed as if it was taunting the men with its refusal to fall. But on the seventh pull, with one final heave, the giant palm tree yielded to the relentless efforts of the men. With a deafening crack, it crashed to the ground, shaking the earth and filling the air with the scent of freshly severed wood.