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."

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 never felt so

an old man." His scratchy voice spoke softly. "I have seen a century's turn, 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

moons. I see de sun cross in between de moon two times. But I see someting

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

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

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

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