By Rose Sembatya
Chief Kaga was a man of great honour and character. He was also greatly feared. When people came to seek his counsel, you could see the fear in their eyes. The Chief would watch you walk in, never taking his eyes off you until you took your seat.
Yet, surprisingly, his son Miti found him to be a good friend. Together they cracked jokes and shared many lessons.
Evening walks and stories
One evening, as they took their usual walk, Miti was bubbling with stories. He told his father about his chicken that had laid four eggs, about his new book Captain Otto’s Dog by Oscar Ranzo, and about how his best friend, Matt, still wore his shoes “banana style”—the left shoe on the right foot and the right shoe on the left.
“Son, now it is my turn to speak,” Chief Kaga said, patting Miti’s head.
Why we have two ears and one mouth
“Do you know why we have two ears and one mouth? It is because God wants us to listen more than we speak. There is so much to hear when you listen and observe.”
Miti nodded thoughtfully. By the time they reached the edge of the coffee plantation, they were already laughing about something.
Listening to the birds
“Son, I need you to listen and tell me what you hear,” the Chief instructed.
After a few awkward minutes, Miti shrugged. “I hear birds… just birds.”
“That is a good start. Just like everything else, birds communicate by sound. Now, listen again and tell me what you really hear.”
“I hear a bird singing,” Miti said.
“Yes,” the Chief replied. “The melodic song of a bird tells you it is healthy and strong. But sometimes a bird makes short, sharp, repetitive sounds to show—”
“That it is in a hurry?” Miti interrupted eagerly.
The Chief laughed. “Not really. It could mean the bird is in danger and needs help.”
A lesson on leadership
Miti nodded, his eyes wide with understanding.
“I love being around you. You are full of knowledge and wisdom,” he said, hugging his father.
“Thank you, son. It is my duty to introduce you to your responsibilities. One day, I will leave this kingdom in your hands. You will have to protect the people, the plants, and the animals—with knowledge and wisdom.”
“Where are you going, Father?” Miti asked anxiously.
“I am going nowhere yet,” the Chief reassured him. “But I must prepare you. A leader must listen and observe so that he can serve the things in his care.”
The chief’s reassurance
“I am getting scared,” Miti whispered.
“Don’t be,” his father said gently. “Just listen and observe. When you become Chief, all the people, animals, birds, lakes, and rivers will depend on you to survive.”
“I have understood this very well, Father,” Miti replied firmly.
Together they walked through the coffee plantation, past the old mango tree, past the kraal, until they reached the main entrance of the homestead
