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."

full force of a hurricane in

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 time, I never see such a grave dilemma

people, dey come, 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

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

see many a ting. Many people covered in

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

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