By 8. o'clock that morning, the entire village was agog with the story of Sunday's misfortune. And as the story spreads so does the severity of his injuries and the height from which he fell.

The Uba residence now overflows with relatives both close and distant,and well wishers from every part of the village.

By the time the meeting commenced, the height of Sunday's fall is now at ten storeys and his injuries at ''mangled beyond recognition'.

Agnes, now surrounded by women with hand fans, makes mewing sounds at regular intervals, to a chorus of ''it is ok Agnes' from the women.

The meeting started with Uzo, the Catechist asking for three volunteers and stating that one of them must be a close relative.

Okoro, a brother to Agnes's late husband, thanked everyone for rallying round the family in their time of need.

"I should be one of the people going to Abakaliki, but you all know my health condition, so my younger brother, Hippolites will go on my behalf".

"Everyone knows that Hippolites is a criminal with a Marijuana habit, and he is not even here. Let me go instead", said Gerald, a distant relative of Agnes's.

"No", replied Okoro. "A close family member must go, in case the boy needs blood".

"And you think Hippolites blood will do anybody any good, with that much Marijuana in it?", fumed Gerald.

After much argument, someone was sent to find Hippolites.

Next, Uzo the Catechist volunteered himself. Everyone except Gerald agrees, that the Catechist is a good choice. He can read and write quite well and he knows the way to the medical Center.

"Great," grumbled Gerald, "now we have a criminal and a drunk, all we need is an imbecile to round it off".

" Well," retorted Okoro, clearly irritated, "since you are hell bent on going, you can be the imbecile, you definitely fit the description."

With the three volunteers decided, Gerald volunteered his old motorbike as the means of transportation, as long as it is fuelled and money for extra fuel is provided.

"Are you sure that old junk can get to Abakaliki," asked Eze the bicycle repairer.

"And what would you know about that," fumed Gerald, "Is it not bicycles you repair"?

"Forgive me for caring if you people gets stuck in the middle of Obiagu forest," replied Eze.

The men raised five thousand naira amongst themselves, for the volunteers to go with.

Hippolites came in shirtless while the contribution was going on.

"About time you got here," Okoro said to him with a chilly glare. "Your nephew has been in an accident, go home and get dressed, you are going to Abakaliki with Gerald and the Catechist."

"I know", replied Hippolites, unconcerned.

"I should hold the money for the journey, after all , it is my nephew who got hurt."

"Are you mad," Shouted Gerald, "the money is for fueling my bike, so i will hold it."

"You two disgust me," retorted Okoro shaking his head. "Your nephew, is in God knows what condition in Abakaliki and you two are here quarelling over money. The Catechist will hold the purse and that is final."

The volunteers, agreed to meet at the market square in thirty minutes, bringing the meeting to an end.

To be continued.......................