1. Tumuvu, Togo

jerry was what everyone called jermaine zaza olenga. he was a togolese with a nigerian mother and he spent most of his life in nigeria. he had a prospering business in lagos and visited togo not too frequently. today though, he was in togo visiting his hometown; tumuvu. now tumuvu had one big problem, crows. the african crows here were little bastards. they stole everything and anything, clothes, food, jewelry...if they could carry it, they would carry it.

jerry was a 'big man': successful with several cars and a whole staff body in his office. he arrived home with not one, but three cars; all suvs. the people were glad to see him again. he was a cheerful giver but had something of a temper.

once he got out of his car, he set down his handkerchief on the bonnet and reached into his pockets to take out cash. people had come singing his praises and he needed to show appreciation; that was why they did it anyway. he took out the money and threw it in the air. the people were glad and bent over to pack the notes.

jerry turned back to his car, just as a crow snatched his handkerchief off the bonnet and flew away. he took off one of his slippers and flung it with such ferocity. the crow dodged it with ease and made off with the handkerchief.

"ah, zaza!" cried an elderly man who had come in with the crowd of praise singers. the man had not joined in diving for money so he saw what happened. he addressed jerry by his native name.

"baba, that stupid bird just stole my handkerchief. do you know how much that is?!"

"zaza, i know the crows are annoying, but you cannot kill one; no tumuvu indigene can do so. the crow is a wicked spirit."

"nonsense!" jerry replied and went into his house.

the old man remained outside and watched two crows which sat on the roof of jerry's four-story manor. the man was wealthy, but wealth could not get him out of trouble if he angered those birds.

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the next morning, jerry had just finished bathing. he stepped into his large bedroom with a towel around his waist. he had left his window open last night not being used to the town and that had been an opening for the crows. there were three on the windowsill and one on the dresser where he kept his jewelry. the crow already had his golden hand chain in its mouth.

"put it down," he warned, sidestepping slowly towards the open window while watching the bird on the table.

once the crow realized what he was trying to do, it lifted off and made for the window, but the man shut it fast and dove out of the way as the bird came straight at him. the bird struck the glass and fell down dazed.

jerry picked up one of his thick-soled shoes and came for the downed bird. the creature had left his chain on the dresser and was just looking for a way out now.

"i said i would catch one of you, abi?" jerry's eyes gleamed as he looked down at the bird. he was angry and not thinking straight. the old man's words came to him.

"you cannot kill one; no tumuvu indigene can do so. the crow is a wicked spirit."

"nonsense. i will kill it and nothing will happen."

he raised the shoe high above his head and brought it down with great strength. the crow's head was smashed and its blood splattered across the floor and across jerry's legs.

the man raised his shoe and looked down at the mess.

"stupid bird."

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