Chasing the River, Chasing the River

Oby’s village has been raided and destroyed by rebels. His mother and siblings are missing. The previous year, his father had been forced to leave home and find work elsewhere after their crops failed. Oby is now alone. He starts walking South. He must find his father.“Walk all the way to El Malla? That’s two thousand kilometres. You’d have to chase the river.”“Yes, Moussa Khalifa, I know.”“It starts in those mountains and it’s rough up there. Do you know where to find it?”Oby hung his head.“ … and what if you meet hyenas?”“I’ll throw rocks.”“Hahaha! Then it crosses the Zuda … did you know that? There’s no shelter there, boy. Only scorching sun. After that there are miles and miles of marsh … and crocodiles.”“But, I must find my father …”“Forget it!”“How will he know I’m not dead?”“I said, forget it! Look at you! You’re just a skinny kid.”