Imagine living with a story so alive it won’t let you breathe.
It knocks over my coffee, interrupts my sentences, and sneaks into my dreams with the force of a storm.
This story isn’t waiting for permission—it’s begging to be told.
It happened during a bride price meeting at Chief Mukoya's home.
As you know, dowry negotiations are serious business in African villages.
Picture this: men in stiff suits that could stand on their own, women in vibrant kitenge dresses, and faces so serious you’d think smiling was forbidden.
Then came the unexpected star of the day—a white chicken Mama Nekesa had been training like it was preparing for a pageant.
Round as a full moon and strutting with pride, this bird was meant to impress the groom’s family.
Everything was going smoothly until Uncle Wafula stood up to deliver his famous speech—the one that usually makes half the village doze off.
Just as he opened his mouth, the chicken chose chaos.
With a loud squawk, it launched itself into the air, scattering feathers and shocking everyone.
What followed now ?
Fourteen village elders, their experience suits now covered in dust, turned into chicken chasers.
Watching important men run after a bird while trying to look dignified is like seeing cats attempt to swim—they can do it, but it looks ridiculous.
The chicken—soon nicknamed 'Bolt'—had a knack for causing mayhem.
It sprinted through Mama Nafula’s vegetable garden, turning elders into muddy wrestlers.
The sight of Mzee Wekesa, the sternest elder, falling face-first into a patch of kale is something the village will never forget.
Bolt’s antics didn’t stop there.
It stormed through the market, toppling tomatoes, scattering maize, and leaving sellers shouting in frustration.
Market women, who normally competed for customers, united in an unsuccessful attempt to trap the bird.
Even bets were placed on whether Bolt would escape—and most bet right.
The chase finally ended at the grain store, where Bolt’s secret stash was discovered.
Behind some sacks of maize, we found an unlikely treasure : Mzee Wekesa’s missing walking stick, and most surprisingly, Mama Nafula’s "lucky" socks.
That day, the elders, who started off arguing over dowry prices, ended up laughing together.
They called Bolt a blessing, saying any marriage starting with such chaos must be destined for joy.
Even the market women forgave Bolt, claiming the story alone was worth the trouble.
Now, what happened to Bolt after all the drama ? Hold that thought—I just realized my tea is burning on the stove. Let me handle that first, and then we’ll get back to Bolt’s grand finale.
