Comprehension: Evil Effect of Communal Clashes

          They were heading for Salaku again. Kafo’s irritation at the futility of the journey had begun to grow, for Salaku happened to be on the other side of the river. “But, why”, asked Kafo, “has no substitute bridge been built over the river?”

          With an ill-timed levity, Orazu replied he was not likely to know since he was not of the Public Works.

          “What?”

          “Oh, I think”, he amended swiftly, ” the people do not seem anxious to have one. They are bitter enemies and what we heard from the area corroborates that. And so, no bridge need be built yet”. The driver joined in: “It is the people themselves who had removed the first bridge. It was during one of the hostilities between them which nearly resulted in the annihilation of one of the communities. We heard about it some time ago. “He sounded the car horn, from habit. “And we heard also that the bridge has been restored, which has turned out to be a lie. Can we stop at Boro to buy some snails?”

          They allowed a pause, thus re-establishing a gap between him including his intention, and themselves.

          “Whoever therefore wants to restore the bridge must first try to reconcile the two sides”, Orazu said. “That means bridging their hearts”.

          “Yes”, and he named a song. But Lagus was busy eating his fingernails. He sang it alone.

          The journey continued and the driver cruised along the green vegetation but they had to pull up by the river bank. They got out of the car and went near the riverbank. The river seemed to beckon to them to come as it receded slowly.

          Suddenly somebody emerged and thundered at them – “Friend or foe? Declare your identity or you are finished”.