Bare Minimum

Bare Minimum

CHILDREN'S STORIES

In the days when animals went to school, the lion and the baboon were classmates. They had grown up together in the same forest and promised to be friends till the very end. In those days, the forest was big and very tall and green. It was warm and all the animals simply had skins they did not need any hair. Hair would make them very hot and lazy.

 

In the class with Lion and baboon were Zebra and Giraffe. They were all friends but not as good friends as lion and baboon. Their teacher gave them exercises and tests everyday. Lion worked hard and got nearly top marks in all subjects. Baboon however did not take his work seriously and always asked the teacher what was the pass mark first. If the teacher said 50% he would get 51% if the teacher said 20 he would get 22. All he cared to do was to get the bare minimum. This was not good, but it was better than some people who failed all the time.

 

Zebra and Giraffe put in great effort. They never got top marks but always got many more marks than the minimum. Eventually they all finished school. Of course, Baboon managed to pass with the bare minimum while the others got certificates.

 

With time, they went into the forest to find work. Lion and Baboon worked in the same shop. At the end of the day, Baboon never finished his work while Lion never left anything undone at the end of the day. They always went home together at the end of the day, just like they used to do at school. After all they were good friends and promised to be together until the end.

 

Some time later it was time for them to marry and have families. Their parents told them that they must first build a house for their families. They agreed and began building houses for their families. When baboon came to see lions house he was amazed and said; why are you building a three bed roomed house when you can only sleep in one room. The other rooms are for my children and guests he said. "Oh" said baboon and asked no more question. Lion promised to visit Baboon's house to see how he was getting on.

 

When Lion went to visit baboon the next week he found baboon sitting outside. Why are you not building he asked. Well said baboon, I have finished. "One room?!"  asked Lion? "Yes, one room - that is all you need isn't it?" Said Baboon "Oh" said Lion.   

 

Lion's wife came from a far country and was very happy with her new home. Baboon's wife who also came from a far country and was very unhappy with the house and quarreled with Baboon all the time. "Why can't you be like your friend Lion" she would ask? "Don't you learn anything from him?". "But he is my friend" Baboon would say "isn't that enough?" At that reply she would chase him out of the house.

 

Then one-day drums were heard in the forest. Those drums meant that there would be a great meeting with the king. This was strange because it was not the usual time for the kings meeting. When the animals gathered the King made an important announcement. He said "the Owl and the Eagle have looked at the sky and reported to me that there would be a great cold season like there has never been before. This is my command. Since there is only one tailor in the land, he will make clothes for everyone so that they will not freeze to death during the long cold winter. But, each animal must bring enough cotton to make their own clothes to the Kings Tailor. The animals thanked the king and immediately went to work gathering cotton.

 

Lion gathered and baboon gathered, Zebra gathered and Giraffe gathered. Then Lion gathered and Zebra gathered and giraffe gathered and sent the cotton to the king's tailor. Then Lion gathered and Giraffe gathered more cotton to send to the king's tailor. Finally lion gathered, and gathered some more, and sent the cotton to the kings tailor.

 

Finally the drums sounded again and the king announced that it way time to collect their clothes because the cold winter was near. First, he called Zebra who was given a black and white suit to keep him warm. Next was Giraffe who received a handsome checked tuxedo which covered him up his long neck all the way to his ears. Next Lion who was given a golden overall to wear. When Lion was just about to leave the kings tailor called out "WAIT!" This is for you too, and gave him a beautiful golden scarf. The king's tailor said "you gave me so much extra cotton, I thought you might like the royal mane to go with your overall". "Thank you" said Lion.

 

By now Baboon was jumping up and down with excitement. But he had to wait while all the other animal were called up to get their clothes. At last his name was called out and he went up proudly to collect his clothes. He was given an impressive grey business suit. He quickly pulled it over his head and stood up to show it off to the other animals. As he turned around with delight all the other animals, including the king, roared with laughter. He could not believe it. There was a hole on the seat of his pants. He turned to the king's tailor in anger. "What have you done to my suit?".  "I am sorry" said the tailor. I started to make the suit with the material you gave me, but when I reached the seat of your pant's the cotton ran out". From that day, Baboon never spoke to Lion again and the king's tailor went back to be the king's tailor. Lion still walks around with pride in the plains while Baboon hides his bare bottom among the trees and bushes in the forest.

 

Allan Bukusi 2007