THE MONEY DOUBLER

PETE JENSEN: 

The money doubler

" Appratoire!, Luz daluz'

He shouted and stretched his hand and surprisingly, a fresh two thousand naira note fell on the ground. He had just doubled the money!. My face glowed and i was moved by the instant magic. 

"Let me see more" I requested to be sure, tilting forward the more this time. He collected a fifty naira note from another boy. "Appratoire, luz daluz! " he mentioned again and he brought out a hundref naira note. This time i was very sure of his skills, a thought crossed my mind. Yes, i would do it! 

 Now, it was the money doubler, his boy and me left at the river bank. I dipped my hands quickly in my pocket and reached for the five thousand naira note grandfather gave me. He had asked me to give it to my aunt. But this business was yielding, even grandpa wouldn't have resisted. I would make my own gains and give aunt her money, perfect!. I took it and said my prayers and i touched my forehead with my thumb three times - The normal way my people wished themselves good luck in whatever they did. I noticed a bright smile from the doubler, i asked why but he calmed my fears. " you're going to get a fine result" he assured. Then i gave him the money, i was ecstatic and a bit excited. I would rent a bicycle, eat out at the restaurants, just then i remembered the 'ogufe' sold at the yah lateef, a small canteen close to my street. this time i would crush even its bones. finally, i would visit friends too. 

"Mister" he cut my thoughts, "are you ready"

"Yes sir, bring out my money, ha ha ha" 

" don't worry sir". He took two steps backward and forward respectively, i was still smiling. He told me he needed a bigger energy for a bigger output. I understood, i replied " desperate times call for desperate measures". He said we have to await the strongest breeze, when it arrives, i would close my eyes and count 1-10 while he would continue with other incantations. 

I waited the strongest breeze and one did come, i did what he asked me to do. 

"Appratoire, luz daluz" he chanted again. This gave me joy, i counted to 10 as he chanted until he stopped talking, i added a further 10 so by the time i would be done, my money would have arrived. Excitedly, i opened my eyes and, "aw! " I exclaimed. He was gone! 

"Help! Help! " i shouted on top of my voice. I had been duped!. I remembered Grandpa's warning and tears rushed down my eyes. 'I'm in a duel with death' I wailed. 

© Aj maverick