The Tragedy Of Brothers

CHAPTER 11

|DEDICATION: to Umar Faruq Rilwan for helping out with a lot of ideas|

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The principals of other schools, teachers and important guests were seated on the high table. Special seats were given to students of other schools.

The occasion began with an opening prayer offered by the Islamic teacher (Mr. Ismail Lawal). A good speech was said by the principal of Tafawa Balewa college, Abuja. The music competition commence immediately. Members of each house presented their performance using the music instrument provided by the school. Raymond being the music guru and the best music student in the school left everyone in suspense. Most of the teachers and students are expecting the best from Raymond. The school have six houses named after important animals with different and special meanings mostly known by the founder of the school. Eagle house (blue), Panda house (White), Ostrich house (Pink), Elephant house (Black) and Turtle house (yellow).

As you know, the eagles known for their braveness and strength excels all other houses in terms of action and most especially knowledge in a particular aspect. The eagle house had always won the medal for the overall inter house sport winner for the last five years. Their success is known for years and in the history of Tafawa Balewa college, Abuja. Their love for field games got them the good image and famousness they are sitting on today. Eagle house is derived from the animal eagle. It is often a solar symbol and can be linked to all sky gods. It signifies inspiration, release from bondage, victory, longevity, speed, pride, strength, father and loyalty. It is often an emblem of powerful nations. The Roman, French, Austrian, German and American peoples have all adopted this image as their symbol. Look around Darling! Every student wearing a blue T- shirt with a clear and huge image of an eagle depicted at the back of their T- shirt is from the great eagle house.

And here comes the famous snake house. Historically, serpents and snakes represent fertility or a creative life force. As snakes shed their skin through sloughing, they are symbols of rebirth, transformation, immortality and healing. Also snakes being so close to the ground represent the earth. It also stands for something evil, negative and even of caustic words or innuendos of people around you.

What of those students wearing a black T- shirt with an elephant diagram at the back and the school's batch in the front exactly at the pocket side of the T-shirt. Those students are from elephant house which represent strength, protection, wisdom and good luck. Elephants are reverered symbols in many cultures as they are the largest living land mammals. The students in elephant house are the school's best riddle solvers. They are brilliant students and often win lots of prizes in riddles.

And those students that sat in groups smiling brightly. They look cute and bright wearing a white T- shirt with a drawing of panda bear and their school's batch in the front pocket side of their T- shirt. Of course, these students belongs to the Panda house. Panda bear is a symbol of peace and luck. When panda appears, you may find your outlook on life becoming brighter. In nature, panda uses its natural awareness to remain tuned into its surroundings. It does not like chaos. And it is one of the reason why panda house has always been compared to Eirene( Irene) and they are sometimes called the children of Eirene. Eirene was the Greek goddess of peace and the season of spring. She was one of the three Horai(Horea), deities of the season and keepers of the gates of heaven. The roman counterpart is pax.

There, some students gathered at the left side of the clearing, some holding short books that looked like a journal. Some of them were reciting poems, some were giggling and most of them were holding a bottle of Lacasera. The females were all wearing a black short skirt that stopped above their knees just like every other girl in the school while the males wore black long trousers. They all wore yellow T-shirts with a turtle designed at the back. The bright yellow colour made them stand out from the crowd. Turtle house are known for their vast knowledge in poetry. Turtle can be seen as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge and is able to defend itself on its own. It is depicted as an easygoing, patient and wise creature. Due to their long lifespan, slow movement, sturdiness and wrinkled appearance. They are an emblem of longevity and stability in many cultures around the world. If you could relate this house with any Greek god it has to be Apollo. Apollo being the god of sun is also known as the god of poetry. So turtle house should belong to the Apollo cabin in camp half blood. Slow and steady wins the race.