The village children gazed at us in
awe. We smiled and waved but got
no response.
Our drilling equipment made a terrible
noise and the children ran in fright. The
adults clapped their hands over their ears.
And a mere 60 feet down we struck water.
There seemed to be an abundant supply.
We drove down pipe and attached a
hand pump.
We called the chief to pump the crank.
After fourteen pumps fresh water splashed
forth. The old chief took a handful, held it
up for everyone to see. As water dripped
down his arm the villagers cheered.
After each villager had had a chance to
drink, we filled a huge tab that we had
brought with us. We invited the children
to play in the tub. They were timid at first
but as kids are, in 10 minutes they were
squealing and splashing water everywhere.
Then came a moment I can’t forget.
A young African shyly approached. He
spoke in his native tongue as he wiped
tears from his eyes.
Mike Berger has a Ph.D. in Clinical and Research psychology from Utah State University. He is the author of two books of short stories. Three of his humor pieces have won awards. He has been writing poetry for less than a year. His work has appeared or will appear in forty-five journals. These include AIM, Still Crazy, First Edition, Stray Branch, and The Midwest Quarterly, Evergreen and Krax. He has published two chapbooks, Raw and Lighten Up by CC&D Press.
Very powerful, Mike.