Now that was some good news. The town crier’s message was that the leopard seen around the village had been trapped. No one knew what would happen to it now. At least everyone could go about their business without fear. The leopard was likely to be killed, as Daada suggested. If so, the skin, teeth, and claws of wild animals they kill (especially big cats) are returned to the hunters as souvenirs, and they share the meat amongst the whole village in the village square. That evening, when news of the leopard’s capture was broadcast, the whole village and its surroundings erupted in celebration. Several men who had guns shot into the sky, and Daada followed suit, firing twice before sitting down to enjoy the evening breeze.

Bright moonlight swept across the village paths. The houses up the hill were quite visible among the sparse green foliage. I could see the solitary trees dotted across the field just a few minutes from the village square. The shadows of trees and houses stood out prominently on the ground. Mama had joined Daada and me in front of the house, while Nene was fast asleep inside, with her dog lying by her side. The gas lamp flickered in the wind as the fire smoldered.

“Ebube, do you remember the proverb about the cripple and the bright moonlight?” Mama asked me as she took a seat close to me. I knew it; Mama would find every opportunity to teach me about our culture through natural phenomena. I remember the saying about the cripple who enjoys taking a ‘walk’ when the moonlight is out and shining brightly.

“Yes, mama,” I replied. I vividly recall the proverb suggesting that the moonlight shines so brightly that the roads become enticingly lit, making the cripple hungry to take a walk. It’s an anecdote anyway, and I have tried to think of real-life situations where I would apply the saying. I do wonder whether these proverbs came from real situations or past events. In Igbo culture, elders often use proverbs as an indirect way of saying something. By “indirect,” I mean they always insert a saying into their speech. Every child came to understand those indirect speeches over time, of course, especially when they were used for discipline. You don’t want to be caught unawares, being a simpleton and facing an unexpected slap.

“As you know, the proverb suggests that a bright, hopeful turn of events can stir deep desires, kindle courage, and open up new possibilities—even for those usually constrained by severe limitations.” Daada popped in.

“Exactly,” Mama nodded in support. I see the idea behind the proverb. The beloved moonlight was the desirable opportunity opening up, and the cripple was who, exactly? I brought out the folded mat and laid it close to Mama’s seat. From there, I could gaze up at the sky and, at the same time, listen to my parents talk.

I have started thinking about the Moonlight tales now that the leopard issue has been sorted. Thinking about the nights brought me back to thoughts of Fata, my crush. I romanticized returning from boarding school to my father’s house and sharing stories with the village on a moonlit night. It was then that I fell asleep and dreamt about Fata, my crush…