Dumb but cunning

The holidays were nearly ending for the Grant brothers to be enrolled at Port Spring Primary School .The remaining days before the school started had simulated the boys making them active than usual. They both will be doing standard three, for they had completed elementary two the previous year. Normally for the Grants, it was a tradition to have a family party before the children were back to school. That was usually so, because they were wealthy. The family owned a trade store, a service station and an estate. Actually, they live within the area of Port Spring. Roby and Ross were the names of the Grant brothers. Roby was the eldest while Ross was the youngest in the family. The Grant brothers were very different from each other. Roby used to be the favourite while Ross was the one the family hated so much. Even though Roby was the eldest, he still behaved like a child to Mr and Mrs. Grant. On the other hand was his younger brother Ross. Ross was careless, so stubborn, naughty and easy going but always in trouble.

The day the family chose for the party was exactly the type Mr. Grant favoured. It was a Thursday where, the sun shone to its fullest bloom. The type Mr. Grant would like where the clouds were whiter and so clear as snow and birds with butterflies everywhere sucking nectars from flowers to flowers as they swift along the entire field. The swift blow of that cool breeze as it passed through, would made every leaves dance for joy.

"Roby! Ross! Boys! Make it fast, daddy is waiting", Mrs. Grant yelled at the back yard.

Not long, the steps started squeaking as the boys rushed down stairs .But poor Ross, before he could make it down to the cemented floor, Roby pushed him forward that he tripped over Mr. Grant’s chair.

Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! The sound of the broken chair as Ross landed on it.

"Roby! What is that noise?” Mr. Grant asked as Roby raced outside.

Roby looked back into the house and then pretended to be innocent he lied to his father.

"Ross took your chair and he smashed it daddy “he said.

"What!” Mr. Grant frowned.

He suddenly went pale and his eyebrows stood as if a wild cat was ready to protect itself. Hands to his belt, he pulled it loose from his waist and started tapping his hand and looking towards the door.Roby seeing that, he quickly clutched himself to his father's side, folded his hands, and smiled happily.

Ross knew he was in trouble and as he dashed to the doorway, he bumped his eyes at his father with the belt. He became nervous and sweat started appearing on his forehead. The fear within him made him joggled for mercy. He knew he could not escape so he attempted to explain but there was no reply from Mr. Grant.Mr.Grant just stood firm and continued tapping the belt. Ross knew explaining had failed but the only option now was to give in to the whip. He trembled as tears started forming when he approached his father.

"Take off your clothes and lean against the bonnet of the car”, Mr. Grant ordered.

Ross, not knowing what to do or say obediently took off everything and leant against the car. His tears drifted continuously as he waited for Mr. Grant's mighty whips.

"You ugly little thing, I have enough with you”, he shouted.

Mr Grant swang the belt repeatedly at him. Ross felt the belt piercing and tearing his body that, he screamed and cried out aloud. Mr Grant did not stop his action but kept on whipping like a cop until sweats started flowing down his round face. The whipping had him very weak, forcing him to fall to the earth and continued crying in pain .Mrs Grant was so hurt to see her son and she pleaded for her husband to quit the whipping. The ceasing made her ran to her son and grabbed him tight. Her tears started falling down her eyes as she her hands moved thoroughly on the belt's marks on Ross's back. She then took his clothes and clothed him. Mrs Grant wanted to

do more for her son but, before she could, Mr Grant ordered her to get into the car. The three went into the car and drove away to the party site, leaving Ross to make his own way to the site. Couple of minutes had passed and then Ross reached the site.

Look! Look! Look daddy! That ugly rat is coming,” Rob said pointing.

Mr and Mrs Grant glanced and then continued with their preparation not minding the approaching child. Ross reached the site but before he joined the three, Roby looked at his brother and poked out his tongue to him. Ross was so angry at Roby but he knew he could not start another war so instead he looked away into the valley where the cattles were grazing. The couple after having everything prepared, Mrs Grant started serving for each of them into their containers. Then Mr Grant summoned the rest for a short swim before they had their lunch. The river was so clear and blue that the family enjoyed the swim very much. Ross at first he was hesitated but then Mrs Grant called him to join the rest and so he went into the water to be part of the excitement. The family had a very long wash and then finally the water games were over for the family. They all went out of the water and the headed straight for lunch.Roby as quick as a fox reached for Ross lunch container and started eating from it. When he saw his brother doing that he looked him on the face and said nothing but wished Roby and him alone somewhere where he can take revenge.

In the afternoon, when everything was over, the family packed their belongings and left for their estate. A short drive home and finally they reached their farm. Ross wasted no time he went straight for bed bearing the pain he had from the mighty whips of Mr Grant’s belt. The early next morning when the boys were still in bed, Mrs Grant shouted from the kitchen.

"Wacky, wacky, wacky, rise and see its time for school, boys. Wake up and wash because breakfast is nearly served. “She shouted.

The boys heard their mother and so they woke from their beds and went to have their bath. The boys had their shower and then went straight for their rooms .They got dressed and then not long they heard Mrs Grant shouting for them again in the kitchen.

"Tea time! Tea time! Boys make it fast for the kitchen,” Mrs Grant shouted.

The boys from their rooms picked up their school bags and rushed for breakfast. The Grant brothers were so excited that they did not waste more time on eating but instead were looking forward to be brought to their new school.

"Are you boys ready for school today?” Mr Grant asked.

"Off course we are” Roby replied as Ross nodded.

"Then get into the car and let's start moving,” Mr Grant replied.

The engine started and the couple brought the boys to the school. Mr Grant upon arrival he enrolled the boys in their new school and then they left. The boys were then lead to their classroom and were met by their friends. The Grant brothers were at the same class thou they were both very different from each other. Roby were much more intelligent than Ross was. He excelled in most of his work and he was an independent learner. Ross was a slow learner and had the tendency of giving up easily.

The weeks had passed for the brothers at Port Spring Primary School and then one day the class teacher took the students out for a game that afternoon. The whole class was carried away with their game when suddenly Roby stopped playing and then he looked to Ross but he was so busy with the other children. Roby quickly raced for their classroom and went in. He went straight for Ross's desk and took out an exercise book belonging to his brother .He took the book and then sneaked it into his shirt and walked out again. When he was outside, he signalled other to his side and started showing and making fun of Ross s work. Everyone had a good time with the book as the fun continued but it only captured the attention of Ross.Therefore, he made it to the crowded students but to his astonishment the book in front of the student was his own. He quickly pushed the students out of his way and grabbed the book away from Roby.Roby again ducked forward and snatched the book back but before he pulled it to his side, Ross gave him a swift surprise shot that rocked Roby to the ground. The blood from his pointed nose flowed out and he cried out blaring in much pain. The teacher reported at once when the problem reached her. The teacher wiped off the blood from his nose and then led the boys into her office and rang the boys’ father. An hour later Mr Grant arrived at the school and then seeks permission to take the boys home .The permission was granted and the three left early for their estate. At home, Mr Grant took the boys into the living room and began conducting his investigation.

Ross, why did you punch Roby on his face? Mr Grant frowned.

Ross being so feared of his father pretended to be confident looked to the cemented floor and confessed.

"It should not happen if he did not take my exercise book and make fun of it,” he said.

"You idiot, don’t you ever lay your hands on my baby again you dumb head”, he yelled

Then he started thrashing Ross in the living room. Nowhere can he run to because Mr Grant had locked all the doors in the house. He whipped, kicked, and slapped Ross .The only thing he could do was to sit on the floor and cry all afternoon. Then Mr Grant commented saying,

I do not like you at all, it is much better for you to die rather than living because you bring more trouble to me.