Ibezim

That evening, we were all gathered at the village square. It was the annual wrestling competition for the youths of Amankwe clan. This usually comes during the new yam festival, it's part of the activities we usually engaged in for entertainment.

For five seasons now I have held the championship title in Amankwe clan. No one even dared to challenge me. The previous year's competition was against Okiri, the great wrestler from my kindred. He had pulled guts that no one would defeat him until I entered the game. He has been held head low since after. 

For this year, I was the one that dared everyone, especially Ibezim. Ibezim was a growing strenght, who had made his way to the top in recent years. Well on a norm, I knew I would defeat him. However, I had never encountered him on any bout. I just don't know what happened this year but he took up the challenge. Although I knew his case was just to exercise my bones; I was confident. No! Over-confident.

The drums were bumming, the maidens rolling their swinging waists. The flutist had taken upon him to ginger us with that invigorating sound of opiike. I could not hold myself again. I went up, ran round and held my breath, raising one leg and a hand upward holding my ear. I couldn't wait to take up the fight.

Holding Ibezim, I felt that fear in his body. I relaxed, I would win, no rushing. As I  tried to hold his abdomen, he swung it high artistically, becoming slippery. I tried to drag it on a hold again but I was not fast enough, he had already swept my second leg out of the ground and I lost balance… I lost my title to him that season.

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There is an adage that says, "E lelie nwa-ite, ogbanyuo oku", when you underrate a small pot, it will definitely quench the burning flame. I had underated Ibezim, with over-confident without knowing that the tune can change at anytime. Don't do anything being so sure that you will scale through. Don't engage in a fight and be so sure to go with the trophy. Don't look down on anyone. No matter how you walk in this life, never be overconfident. Don't as well be underconfident. Humility is the language of the successful.