JERRY
&
THE RATS
WRITTEN BY: BASIL NNADOZIE
ILLUSTRATED BY: MERCY ANYANWU
EDITED BY:
EMMANUEL D. ONYEMA
Copyright 2024 all rights reserved the respective authors. Do🗝 not
duplicates or distribute without explicit written permission.
Table of Content
Cat
invasion
The burial preparation of Jerry’s parents
The rats found their new
🗝 home
Jerry’s Future
Jerry went back to school
Life without jerry
Charlie released from
prison
The real Charlie came out
The rats travelled to Australia
Jerry came🗝 back with
the rats
CHAPTER ONE
CAT INVASION
Once upon a time, there lived two best friend Koki
and Poki. The two friends🗝 had always seen Texas as their home; very peaceful and quiet.
The difference between the both of them is that🗝 Koki is stubborn and wiser while Poki
is the quiet and peaceful type that always want to live a happy🗝 life.
One sunny
afternoon, the two friends went in search for food. They had two cents with them. The
money they🗝 had won’t be enough for them to eat. On their way Poki said I never dreamt
of seen this day,🗝 some butterflies can’t just stop dancing in my belly. Koki smiled and
said: that’s the spirit speaking to you. Saying🗝 Poki doesn’t need food, what Poki need
is a belly dancer. Twisting his waist while shaking his head. Poki ignored🗝 him and
asked how far the restaurant is? Koki replied you see that sexy red painted hole at the
end,🗝 that’s the answer to the butterfly in your belly.
They walked faster until they
reached Suwait castle. Poki was surprise to🗝 see multitudes in there and said: Koki this
place sure does look like a market square, there are a whole🗝 lot of rats around. They
went and sat down in one of the chairs.
Koki signaled the waitress to come take🗝 their
order. As soon as Koki saw the menu list and their prices pasted at the wine bar, he
brought🗝 out the two cents from his pocket and start rubbing it with his palms; he
thought of a plan, he🗝 saw a lady entering the restroom with her purse on her back. Poki
knew Koki was up to something he🗝 said O! Lord save me Koki is at it again. Koki rushed
and follow up the lady.
When Poki was waiting🗝 for Koki, the waitress came to take their
order, Poki ordered for two plate of spaghetti with two bottles of🗝 grape wine. As Poki
was busy looking round waiting for the food, rumors were spreading that the house at
the🗝 next street has been rented and the family that took it has lots of cat. That’s not
good news to🗝 them because of the danger involved. After some minutes Koki came out from
the rest room dancing and waving the🗝 purse he stole from the lady in the air. Koki got
to his seat and said now am hungry; Koki🗝 shouted with a loud voice waitress.
The
waitress appeared with two plate of spaghetti on a tray placed on her palm🗝 and dropped
it on the table. Koki was busy steering at the waitress for some minutes. Koki then
asked is🗝 this meal for real because I’m not eating it. The waitress stand looking at
the both of them. Poki said🗝 he was the one that placed the order that the waitress is
free to go. The both of them started🗝 eating. few minutes later, Poki told Koki about
the wide rumors going around that the family that rented the apartment🗝 in the next
street has lots of cats as their pets and that means trouble.
Koki stopped eaten; He
started rubbing🗝 his two palms together. He stopped and said: how’s that my problem? If
those lousy cats mess up, we beat🗝 the fuck out of them. Koki climbed the table and
continued talking. Listen up guys I aren’t scared of the🗝 cats; Common you all. Everyone
is welcome to Texas pardon the peaceful one’s; but I repeat if we work together,🗝 we can
show the cats who owns Texas. Everyone was quiet. They all ignored him because they
know that they🗝 are no match for the cats. When Koki noticed no one was paying attention
to him; he quietly slides down🗝 to his seat. Poki looked at him and shake his head
saying thank God is not the only one that🗝 knows Koki is an ass.
One week later, the new
tenant brought their properties to the house including their pets. The🗝 majority of the
rats hang around to see how true the rumor is. The cats were the last to come🗝 down from
the van, when the cats were entering the house, one of them saw how the rats gathered
round🗝 and smiled; while he changed his walking step. The cat turned and looked at his
second saying is gonna be🗝 hunting season hahahahaaaa. The second cat replied I can’t
wait.
When Poki and Koki were busy playing at home, Koki heard🗝 the emergency bell rang
for all rats to meet at the Suwait castle for an important meeting. Poki tried peeping
🗝 through the window, he saw his fellow rats running halter scatter, some with their
bags. He tried to signal one🗝 and asked what the problem is. The reply Poki got was that
the cats have started tormenting them. Poki sat🗝 close to the window feeling sad saying:
after several years of peace and happiness, it now looks like is coming🗝 to an end. Poki
turned to the direction Koki was and could not find him. Poki called Koki Koki where
🗝 are you? Koki replied I am outside, get down here and let’s join up with the rest at
Suwait castle."
When🗝 the rats gathered there, they summoned one of the cats to come.
The rats were busy discussing how to look🗝 for a way out. The cat entered their midst
looking very angry like it wants to bounce on them one🗝 by one. The rats created space
for the cat while they wait for him to speak. The cat looked round🗝 as he uses his
tongue to lick round his lips. The cat said Texas now has a new owner; you🗝 have till
night fall. One of the rats tried asking question. The cat pounced on him with his
claw. Pinned🗝 down the rat’s neck and said you were saying. When the cat reached the
exit door, he turned back looking🗝 at them saying have a safe trip and left.
After the
meeting the rats decided that they are going nowhere. Saying🗝 Texas is their home. The
torment from the cats became unbearable. The rats all ran for their lives one by
🗝 one.
Poki and Koki had nowhere to run to, the two friends were inside thinking of the
next step to take.🗝 Koki was busy moving from left to right and right to left with his
left hand at his back and🗝 the right hand rubbing his chin. While Poki was busy looking
at his old stuff and things he will leave🗝 behind. Poki’s mood was dull to the extent he
almost shed tears. As Koki was busy moving with anger, he🗝 kicked a teddy bear towards
were Poki was sitting. Koki saw an old picture of a place in Brooklyn that🗝 was lying
under the teddy bear, he picked it up and cleaned it saying, ooh yeah baby that’s what
am🗝 talking about. He called Poki to check it out. Poki wasn’t interested to know what
Koki is trying to show🗝 him. Poki said Koki please quit joking around. Poki continued
arranging his things saying: I never knew I would leave🗝 Texas one day. Poki stopped
what he was doing and lie on his back facing the roof.
Koki was at a🗝 distance looking
at Poki, suddenly his mood changed. He threw the picture away and the wind blew it to
where🗝 Poki’s bag is. The two of them were silent for some minutes. Poki stood up and
continue arranging his things.🗝 Poki found the picture. The smile on Poki’s face came
back to life. Poki said: Koki this city is beautiful🗝 please check this out let’s go
there can we. Koki smiled: that’s why I called before, you know what if🗝 your happy
about going to Brooklyn then let’s go baby stretching out his left hand. Poki stopped
talking and was🗝 looking at Koki and said: who’s your baby idiot?
On Monday morning
Jerry was too tired to get up from his🗝 bed. He struggled until he finally rolled and
went down on his knee to pray. When he was through with🗝 his prayers, he stood up and
went downstairs to the parlor. He looked round and saw no one. Jerry’s mother🗝 was busy
in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Jerry went to the kitchen to greet his mother. How
was your night🗝 she asked? Cool mum Jerry replied. Jerry tried to assist the mother in
the kitchen but she chased him out🗝 with a fry spoon.
As soon as Jerry ran out of the
kitchen and entered the parlor. The doorbell rang. Jerry🗝 rushed and opened the door to
see who the person is. It was his friends in the neighborhood. One of🗝 them is holding a
basketball with his left hand. They greeted each other, one of them asked about his
mother.🗝 Mum is busy in the kitchen Jerry replied. His friends shouted good morning Mrs.
Johnson. Without wasting time Jerry followed🗝 them to the basketball court.
Jerry
remembered he did not inform his mother where he was going, he came back opened🗝 the
door and shouted mum am in the neighborhood playing basketball then he left. Mr.
Johnson came out of his🗝 room, entered the parlor with a newspaper in his hand and sat
on the couch. The wife came out of🗝 the kitchen with a tray on her hands serving the
food on the dinning. She came close to the couch🗝 Mr. Johnson is sitting. Wrap her hands
round his neck from the back and gave him a peck on his🗝 cheek. Good morning dear
breakfast is ready she said and went back to the dining. Mr. Johnson asked if Jerry🗝 is
still sleeping. The wife said no dear he went out with his friends to play basketball
in the neighborhood.🗝 Mr. Johnson stood up went around the couch reached the dining and
sat down on one of the chairs. The🗝 breakfast was served.
When they were eating, Mr.
Johnson said honey I promised dad I’ll come pay them a visit next🗝 week and since
Jerry’s school is still on, he won’t be going with us. Don’t forget you also promised
to🗝 buy two pair of jackets for your dad she said. Mr. Johnson replied by putting on a
serious face as🗝 he looks at her. It’s true she said you did say so last week on your
way back from work.🗝 ok ok ok he said you know what on my way back from work I will get
it and on🗝 Thursday we’ll go pay my parents visit. That’s ok by me she said.
Few minutes
later Jerry opened the door and🗝 entered. His cloth was stained with mud dirt. Jerry
danced joggling is shoulder and throws his hands like he was🗝 throwing a basketball.
Jerry: Common Steph curry in the building dad I showed them the stuff am made of doing
🗝 a little break dance.
The parents were quiet looking at him. Mr. Johnson shacked his
head and said you know what🗝 son. In basketball they have rules and it also applies to
Steph curry. If curry go against them, he gets🗝 punished. The curry in my house right
now looking like an old famer with mud stains all over his body🗝 his grounded now go to
your room. Jerry’s reaction changed: common dad the pitch was all messed up but I🗝 get
it am grounded. Silent for some minutes. Jerry continued: you know