Matigari by Ngugi wa Thiong'o

Author:Ngugi wa Thiong'o [Thiong'o, Ngugi wa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: non-fiction
Publisher: Ngugi wa Thiong’o
Published: 2020-02-25T20:00:00+00:00

13

It would have been better if it had clearly rained or clearly shone. Better any of that than this uncertain weather. Yes, better if it were hot or cold, rather than lukewarm like this.

He went in search of the wise who taught and studied modern stars.

14

The student had locked himself in his study. When he saw Matigari, he trembled so much that the book he was holding fell on the floor. He did not even offer him a seat.

‘What is it? What is it?’ the student asked in a frightened voice.

Matigari paused for a while. Could this be the very same student with whom he had shared the police cell? What had happened to his light-hearted jokes and manner? Where had all his courage gone to? Matigari explained the purpose of his visit.

‘I have travelled the length and breadth of this country looking for truth and justice. I met a woman in the plains who said to me: Why have you left behind the students of modem stars? That reminded me of you — that you and I were together yesterday. So I said to myself: Yes, wasn’t the student arrested because of searching for the truth? Let me start my search afresh. One must never scorn a grain of sand or a drop of rain. That is why I am here. Open those books that you are studying, and tell me: Where can a person girded with a belt of peace find truth and justice in this country?’

‘Listen,’ said the student, still trembling and full of fear, ‘these days are not like the days we used to know, our yesterdays. Did you hear the radio announcement today? Five university students were sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in a maximum-security prison. And that is not all . . The student hesitated. He felt sad. As he spoke, his voice was full of tears of many years. ‘When did we part? Was it only yesterday evening? Or was it the day before? Anyway, it doesn’t matter. Yesterday, the day before, years ago, it has been the same story. I rushed to the university to hide among the other students. I found that they had called a prayer-meeting at the church to pray for those who had been arrested. They also wanted to pray for peace and love in the country. Oh! Oh! Do you know what we went through? The same fate as was meted out to the workers. As we were kneeling down, our eyes closed in prayer, soldiers and policemen surrounded us. Some of us had our arms and legs broken. Twenty-five students were killed instantly. One woman was eight months pregnant . . . She had a miscarriage there and then. Was all this reported or mentioned on the radio? The Voice of Truth? No! All that the Voice of Truth had to say was that the university was closed because the students went on strike over food. That’s a lie. I was there! I am a witness! I just escaped miraculously.

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