The handclapping clouds floating over Rakutuka’s head blew puffs of air against the microwaving sun. Then the woollen-sandals man tiptoed behind the cream and red cows. He raised a shepherd’s stick, and the cows galloped towards the feathery grass. Rakuu’s sling pinched his hips while fixing a fin-like arrow over the bowstrings. Suddenly, cupful raindrops fell on his head, before melting over his chest. 

The cowman spotted a streak of arched-shaped blue, green and red colours across the sky, which stirred his thoughts. Thereafter, he aimed his rubber-string catapult at a rain-bird, but a blue chicken jumped out of the grass. Rakutuka looked at the peacock’s raised tail and smiled at the red, green and blue eye-like feathers. Soon, he skipped over the blue and red cow-parsleys, before playing cat-and-mouse with the chicken-size bird. The next day, Rakutuka tuned to the beats of cooing pigeons between the fist-raising Makalani Palms. Suddenly, a blue-headed lizard, with a red tail and green claws, crawled towards him. The crocodile-sized lizard nodded and waved its scaly paws. While pinching his ears towards the chatting birds, he hymned ‘The Wind of Change’. Then, he zipped his lips and called the cows with a whistle. The following day, he showed up at a thorn-bush kraal in search of a red missing cow. Afterwards, the cowman followed a twisty footpath towards a waterhole. Rakutuka cups the water, as the blue, green and red butterflies welcomed him by clapping their fluffy wings. 

The herder’s sheepdog jumped into the water, and his eyes popped at the waves that had sketched a rippling flag. Immediately, in a forest of clenched fists, Makalani Palms begged him to stand up to the oppressors. Then he dashed home, and his tear-gushing eyes followed his aunt’s hair curlers. Aunt Ngarune strolled between the fireplace and the hut, showing off her pink, blue and green hair curlers. The young man began singing ‘Shilongo shetu’. Instantly, his mom spotted a green helicopter circling above the mahangu field, which echoed his treasonous songs. Later, Rakutuka clutched the green and blue necklace dangling from her neck. The grey-haired woman’s wristbands were crafted from yellow and red beads. This time, Rakuu smacked kisses on her cheeks, and she smeared a mixture of sand and saliva on his feet. On his way, he stumbled upon a shallow grave circled by buzzing flies. Instantly, he stitched a cross and planted the twiggy cross on the grave. Then he crisscrossed a finger over his forehead and chanted, “Your blood will water my freedom.” Suddenly, a green and blue-winged pigeon alighted on his shoulder. The pigeon spat a leafy branch into his hands with these looped words, “You’re the torchbearer of freedom.”

Dedicated to the Father of the Nation.