My "Goliath" Scar - Back to my roots by #thegirlfrommbeere

Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks? Asked Goliath. Come to me, that I may give your flesh to the birds of heavens and the beast of the field. Goliath told David. In his book David & Goliath Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants, Malcolm Gladwell notes that medical experts believe that Goliath was suffering from the disease acromegaly. Notice that Goliath said sticks yet David had one stick? why did Goliath tell David come to me? Why was Goliath led onto the valley by an attendant? I love how Malcolm tells this story. You might want to buy the book and read more about the reasons and find out what happens when ordinary people confront giants.

This story takes me back to Rwamuringa village at the slopes of kamagu hill. In case you want to visit me for some local tourism, you will end your journey at the Kiritiri market. Ask for Mbandi wa Mbungu wa Ndongongi (please forget Eunice Ireri that day. This name is used in the city). If you can't pronounce the three names, say you want to go kwa DC (District Commissioner) and a Boda Boda rider will happily bring you home for free. Kindly hold him tightly, the road to rwamuringa is an adventure. On your arrival, you will be met by our dog Taliban, he is friendly don’t be afraid. I am informed his hunting skills are exceptional. 

That home is where my brother Nyaga converted Mr. Ireris farm to a Wakanda for his short film Goliath and David (aka Mbandi and Nyaga). He had attended his mandatory Sunday school with the famous Italian Sister Lydia at the Iriamurai Catholic Parish. The place I was taught that God has very big eyes. Like any other village boy, Nyaga was determined to test his shooting accuracy level. The actors were ready, the sling was readily available. I am sure you don’t know this, I have exceptional skills using the sling. I spent my childhood watching over birds in the company of boys. The sling was a must-have to scare the birds not only on your farm but also the neighbors. Out of curiosity, did you have missionary fathers and sisters from Italy in your local churches? 

I am not sure if sister Lydia had photos of Goliath and David. If she did, then Nyaya was not attentive (many children were busy boasting about their new outfits to each other instead of praying). How did I get to play Goliath with my decimal kilos and mini size? Respect your elders, my grandmother gatiti repeatedly told us. Nyaga had said. Action! Mbandi stand here and do not move. I did. Nyaga took his sling and a stone walked 50 meters back and gave the final instructions. Don’t Move Okay!. Yes, I shouted back. Just like David, he felled me on his first attempt. The stone hit on my forehead like Goliaths. I was screaming, bleeding, and writhing in pain.

As I write this, I am parked by the riverbank, waiting for the undecided wild beasts to cross the river. We have been here for hours and neither us nor they are ready to give in. It is okay, we will all wait. The guide tells me they are waiting for one to start the journey. It’s a good scene to calm the pain I feel. The memory is still fresh. Just like the wildbeast trust the leader to start the journey, I had trusted my brother and took his instructions thinking all will be okay. 

My grandmother came to rescue the bleeding tiny Mbandi. She controlled the bleeding. No hospital visit, the wound will heal on its own. This was normal in the village. The hospital was for the very sick. The experiment was complete, David had won again only this time Goliath did not die. She lived to tell the story.

Now you can zoom the photo and see the 31-year-old scar. Seen it? Good.

In July 2017, Nyaga took his last breath. Rest in Peace CEO, Rest in Peace Nyaga, Rest in Peace Mundu wa Ndongongi. Wait for another bigger scar story courtesy of the one and only Nyaga the big brother. He loved experimenting and Mbandi happened to be his much-needed free sample.