The Death of 1977 (Book 3)

This Old Man

"Gather 'round me." The downcast, grey-haired, boney old man commanded his family around a fire that was burning inside the small stone hut that was hidden deep within a forest.

Collected amongst him were a younger man and woman, along with eight small boys and girls. Each and every member of the family all sat Indian-style on the floor before the old man.

"We must find food before the day is through, great-grandfather." The younger man said.

Staring directly at the man, the old man replied, "Your food is not important. But I tell each and every one of you dis, I shall not eat until de dawn comes back."

listened intently. The rain came thrashing down upon the hut with the full force of a hurricane in the making. They were all accustomed to it, but

a storm's comings and goings. I have seen men of great stature speak great tings, and other men of great stature devour de living. But in all my time, I never see such a grave dilemma as de one dat has befallen us. Dere have been a many a ting

and dey go. Dey speak, and before you know, dey speak no more. Dis old man, he see many suns, and many moons. I see de sun cross in between de moon two times. But I see someting else, too. I know it be de devil, 'cause it always look you in de eye. It always come in de day, and in de night. It take your life and my life. I see it come and look like you and me, before it runs like

no care if you scream and yell. It no care if you boy, girl, woman or man. It no care

a ting. Many people covered in blood for many years. De blood is all

but it always flows like de rain dat punishes dis great earth of ours. De blood

fill our bellies. Too much fat and de devil smell you better. De devil hear a grumbling stomach. It sound