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
