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."

before him 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 on that particular evening, the sound of rain

and 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 in my life dat I wish I no see. Many people who say dey be de devil; but I

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 a

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

my life I see many a ting. Many people covered in blood for

dat punishes dis great earth of ours. De blood is what de devil has been cravin' for years. It craves for it now

and I to not fill our bellies. Too much fat and de devil smell you better. De