Boy Kali The Fisherman- A Short Story

By Edrissa Bah

Boy Kali was a fisherman in our small town called Sarepateh. Kali known as “Chubala” in our wollof dialect, was a successful businessman. Kali became millionaire overnight. He toured communities selling fish. Each time he arrives in Sarapateh the kids would chant “ Kali Jan” is here.( Meaning Kali the fisherman is around).

In  Sarapateh, there was competition amongst the Chumbalas, as to who is the best fisherman. Kali always emerged as the winner. He was the best. No one dare stands him.

Unfortunately, Kali never live a quality life. He spent part of his proceeds on prostitutes, drugs, and other deadly substances.  He was widely feared in our little town. He has over millions of people on his payroll.  Kaili was also into all kinds of commercial activities.

Kali claimed to have bagged a PHD in Western and Arabic education. He was worshipped by our town folks. Even if he lied during his storytelling, some members of our town folks would justify his lies. They heaped praises to  Kali, the jack of all trade. Kali jailed, and exiled people he perceived as his opponents.

During a town hall meeting in Kerr Demba, Kali told his supporters that he was going to destroy Kebbugut. He brags that he has the knowledge, wisdom, and poetry skills to caricature Kenbugut. He said his weekly sermons would now center on Kenbugut. Interesting , yeah.

Kali could not come to terms that his failures as a fisherman was as a result of the “Deep Recession.” Our people could not afford to buy his expensive fish. They rather starve to death than to using their last savings buying fish from Kali. It is recession time Kali. No money, no job, here in Kanilang. Our people are dying of hunger.

Despite his unpopularity in our little town, Kaili still tried to project himself as the King amongst his fellow fishermen in Kuntawour. Kali wants to dictate to his town folks what they should wear, what they should eat, who they should vote for, and so forth. He is the worst dictator, I have ever seen in my life.

A former  drug rehab, Kali wants his presence to be noticed anywhere he goes. He is suffering from low esteem.  He bookmarked the number of people who compliments him in the riverside, and those he perceives as “ enemies” of his revolution.

The  boys in the West, East, and Southside  have been rendered homeless thanks to his dictatorial tendencies. They become rejects as they tried to blend in a culture alien to them. No matter how much education one bags, he or she is still regarded as a stranger.  

Racism, and discrimination become their subject of discussion after long hours of work. Despite their outstanding qualifications, language barrier undermined their job opportunities. “Boy you got an accent. I can barely understand you. You need to speak up,”  said a native of Kanaland. They also wondered how some of us are able to speak the Kanaland English fluently. “ Where do you learn English from? Do you learn English from Africa, or here in Kanaland? They asked.

Africans need to wake up! If you have plans visiting, or staying in Kanaland, you need to learn about the host country's culture. There are cultural disparities compared to Gambibolong. Learning the Kanaland English would also help to save one from culture shock.

It was one fine morning, when Kali announced that he was setting up an “intellectual” organization. You got to be a PHD graduate, or student to be enrolled into the said secret organization. Kali criticizes our town folks for being uneducated. He faults whatever they said, or write in the “Hebarr.”  The idea of Media Commission emanated from Kali. He advises the emperor to regulate what he perceived as the bad press. For Kali, life goes on. He believes in destroying his fellow brother.  Kali the successful fisherman.