The past weeks have been characterized by the hot weather. The intensity of the heat has been excruciating to the extent that people started to think they would suddenly be struck down by a stroke or some unimaginable diseases and their prayers have been ‘let the rain come, oh Lord’. We all know however that the man upstairs does things in order. He granted the rain at the appointed time.
When the sprinklers of heaven were turned on, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The days were gentler on the brain and skin while the nights caressed us till we floated into the dreamlands. The rain came down to wash our pain away. Some folks however use the rain to their advantage. They expect the rain to wash their physical pain as well. They toss their refuse into the rain so that the flowing waters will carry them away. And it does. The major setback however is that the rain washes it away from them to the streets blocking the drainage and causing the flooding of the streets. When the clouds are clear again and the sun starts to peep, the refuse are seen on the streets constituting a nuisance. The rain is then made an accomplice in propagating disease everywhere. This is really sad because these selfish folks will always be around. Do we then pray; ‘let the rain go, oh lord’? If we did and it was granted, the crops would suffer, rain water harvesters have to find another means of water supply and we would be toasted like the smoked fish Mallam Adamu sells to his customers; darkened and stiffened by heat.
Let us appreciate the rain because it is a gift. Encourage a neighbour to stop the habit of throwing dirt in the rain, to be more kind to the earth and to respect everyone’s right to live free from diseases and unnecessary pain.
Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby. ~Langston Hughes
