Chikankata, the 30th August 200813:15 hours Zambian Time
A Mizo doctor in Africa was ready for any challenge, except this.
The neighbours’ extraordinary heroism and much more………….
By Dr. Zairemthiama Pachuau with Laltlankimi Tochhong
Fire, Fire, Fire,
It burns the bush at night,
When animals come -
They are all afraid of its hot and yellow flame…
Fences here are done with freshly dried tall elephant grass. Comes autumn, it is the order of every year that houses will have, around them, nicely trimmed fences replacing the old ones. This year ours is not an exception and we loved it. Of course our garden boy received extra allowance from us as a token of appreciation for the excellent work he did.
Now here comes my role as a concerned ‘fire preventer’. Fearing that the old grasses discarded outside the new fence might catch accidental fire, I’ve asked my wife and the two kids out to first do a clearing work, gather the grass in one or two heaps and then burn it. Honestly saying, in doing so I expect my kids to have their own share of fun by watching this demo ‘bush fire’, which they longed to see for sometime now. But once I lit the fire, things go out of control, portions of the new fence catch fire and soon the fire spread everywhere. Passers-by come, our neighbours follow and they all help us in extinguishing the raging fire. The scene of the backyard after all the commotion was even more dreadful - hose pipes, rakes, hoes, buckets and shovels were lying everywhere, which reminded me of the potential damage the fire can do if it were not put out on time. Thanks neighbours and others who come to our rescue. You are real heroes.
As with any other catastrophe, whether major or minor, the first question asked was the judgemental ‘Who did it?’ It’s not that I don’t know the answer to their question, but for some good reason I left it for my wife to answer them. Reluctantly she has to say, “It’s the doctor”, after hearing which they all burst out laughing!!I have to comfort myself with the fact that of course, doctors are not expected to be fire experts, if not for the skill to treat victims of fire. Yes we are for patients, as fire-fighters are for fire. At least I wish my kids had their grand treat of (but not a bush) ‘fire’!!
