HAVE REALLY GONE SLIMMER Akowe Selime John-Duke

On that cold morning of the hamathan interlude, a Seminarian rose at about 5.20am, rushed into the bathroom, then traced his way tirelessly into the chapel; it was as if the sleep he had in the night did nothing to lessen the heavy throbbing of his head. He knew with the deepest conviction that he was not ill, very tired maybe, but certainly not ill. After saying his prayers rather distractedly, he waited patiently for the mass to end. He hurriedly went on with his morning duty given the fact that he had risen up from the other side of his bed. Morning refectory went without a hitch and soon he found himself sitting in a noisy classroom enveloped with debates. He had courses like Philosophy of God, Philosophy of Mind and African Traditional Philosophy linedup for him on this day of the Lord; all argumentative. He could not help anticipating the end of classes, as he was bored to the bone. To make matters worse, all the lecturers came to the class that day with little or no time for any break. It was a lecture-packed day. When classes eventually ended, he thought he would faint since his legs could barely transport him to the chapel in the hot afternoon sun and that his stomach could no longer connect his neck to his legs. However, the thought that he would soon be eating pounded yam, with vegetable soup to make the delicacy something that would keep him on his feet. After chapel, he half walked, half ran to the refectory, but unknown to him, he was never to get there. Just as he was about entering the venue for the liturgy of the stomach, a Deacon called him. He followed the Deacon in hushed antagonism, unable to voice his agitating emotions. He soon found himself with a mucusous and sullied cooler that badly needed washing. After cleaning the cooler, which took him some precious time, he went and collected the food of the Deacon. On his return back from the refectory to St. Peters Hostel where the Deacon resided, another deacon called him to help fetch some water from the refectory, he obliged to this in stilled annoyance. But been unable to protest or bare his mind, he obeyed which was the best

option at that point in time. This he did passing brother`s eating their own meals; he inhaled and perceived the aroma that came out of the meals. He swallowed these aromas without a test of the subject matter. How pitiable it was for this seminarian. Again, he started on his second procession to the venue for the liturgy of the stomach, again half walking, and half running. This time, he did get into the arena. He breathed a deep sigh of relief, looked up hopefully, and found the whole tables empty. He immediately wanted to cry but controlled himself as he remembered he was a major seminarian of this noble institution of Great Bodija. On second thoughts, he wanted to hit something, but again he could not, as he knew he might immediately be rushed to Revd. Fr. Ofoegbu for psychological check-up; with this in mind, he adjusted and respected himself. Thanks for this comportment. Seeing that it was his unlucky day- rising, distracted prayers, breakfast, noisy and argumentative classes, et al that occurred during the course of his day before lunch time; he left the environment of shattered promise sad. He was filled with anger! It is not good to diasporise the food of other brothers. Let us bear in mind the fact that eating the food of other brothers is indistinguishable to stealing. Yes, stealing in board daylight, as we do not know what make them come late to the refectory. This attitude is not the best. Our behavior must change, we must stop diasporism; it is evil, wicked and ungodly. But since it has been announced, defaulters in this aspect have really gone slimmer. Yes! They are watching their weight.