A post-Antaeus saga tale: Climb Too High

Everyone on the workcrew was offered a choice of protective hats before taking on the daunting task. Tri-blade readily accepted a blue broad-brimmed one ("Hey, it matches my suit," when his friend and colleague started to chuckle at him) and donned it quickly before heading to the drill site.

"It's great that BADGE is putting more resources into digging wells and creating reservoirs for everyone here, Meesh," Tri-blade said as he lugged a set of pipes behind him. "The best part of it is that this could be seen as easy P.R. but everyone's genuine in helping out."

Agent Michelle nodded. "If anyone needs help, it's the people of the nearby villages. The Antaeus encounter left a big scar on many fronts. This is just one step in getting everyone back on their feet."

Tri-blade and a group of assorted BADGE agents and a few super-powered persons began the relatively quick work of clearing the designated area of brush and debris, then a set of drill rigs were wheeled in.  Expert crews began the process of drilling, while the others started setting up fencing and the foundation for an accompanying rainwater catchment system.

"Africa is massive. Chad itself is large. Each individual location is worthy of focus and detail and we've got a long way to go, even in this pocket of land," said Tri-blade as he wiped sweat off of his brow.

Michelle added, "That man who became Antaeus, sigh. Was it a case of someone getting power, then getting too boasty about it?"

Tri-blade began to reply, but was interrupted by a local villager. Middle-aged and very slender, he sighed a bit loudly, yet was smiling.

"I have a good tale about getting too high and mighty. You want to hear it?" he said in a quiet, yet stern voice.

Eyebrow raised, Tri-blade looked at the man, then at Michelle.

"I've heard one or two tales from the Mythic Anansi while here a while back, I suspect this may be one of them. But go on, friend, for my friend's benefit. We're always willing to learn more oral stories, after all, this continent is renowned for them."

The man nodded, then stood tall. As he began to speak, Tri-blade noticed that he immediately appeared younger and more spritely.

(To be continued)

Many years ago, there was a group of baboon families that lived at the edge of the rainforest, near a great river. Predators were rare in the area, and food was relatively plentiful.

One of the younger baboons, he had very strong arms and legs - and all of his friends knew that he was poised to become one of the dominant males when he reached adulthood.  The thought of being the troop alpha excited the youngster greatly. He loved to show off. Every day, he would dash to the largest rock, climb to the top and shout at the top of his lungs. He would only stop when one of the dominant adults approached and bared their teeth. The youngster would retreat, but secure in his budding position.

There was a small cluster of fruit trees - some call them omwandi - and the fruit was known to be juicy and nourishing. The trees grew tall, however most of the baboons could only climb to the first few sets of branches to claim the reward.

The youngster baboon, he would boast to his friends that he would climb to the top, grab the best fruit, and prove himself the greatest among all in the troop. Some of his friends laughed, as if the alpha males couldn't get to the top, how could he? Others wailed in sorrow. They suggested that the risk of falling and dying wasn't worth it, especially if perfectly fine fruit was available at the first set of branches.

The youngster bared his canines menacingly, then pounded the ground in unbridled rage. He'll show them. He was the best among them.

He scaled the tree effortlessly, reaching the second set of branches without stumbling once. The young baboons stopped chattering and gawked at their seemingly fearless comrade.

The youngster in the tree was overjoyed. He looked upwards, and with determination, scaled his way to the next tier. He was exhilarated on reaching the thick branches. He looked down and across the plains. He squealed with delight.

The surprise among the young baboons slowly changed to worry. They started to scream, beating their chest. They wanted him to come down, do not climb any higher.

However, the baboon in the tree heard the calls as an exhortation. He pounded his chest and yelled fiercer than he ever had before.

He stretched forward, then leaped up. His arms found purchase and in a matter of seconds, the baboon swung his way to a branch never reached before by any baboon in the troop.

Wild with joy, the young baboon screamed and danced along the branch. He was too excited to even grab the luscious fruits all around him. He had done it. The world was all his -

A loud noise, then the baboon slowly teetered, before it fell from the tree and crashed to the ground. The hunter's bullet had struck the baboon with precision. The other baboons scattered quickly, knowing that death followed the sound of gunfire.

-

"The higher monkey climbs, the more he exposes himself," said the local man, head bowed slightly.

"Well, that story took a sad turn," grumbled Agent Michelle.

Tri-blade put a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder. "It's more about the moral, than an actual event." He turned to the local man. "Probably not an Anansi story, but it's not an unfamiliar tale. Thanks for sharing."

The man smiled, nodded, then walked away.

"Come on, Meesh. After this task, we have to go to Bongor, then circle north. There are a few other villages along the way. As I said earlier, Chad is one big ol' place. And people are counting on us."

"Aye-aye, captain," Agent Michelle said as she gave a mock salute.