ย ย ย ย ย A small island out in the pacific ocean was a home to a small family of cannibals. Their meals were mostly fish, bananas, pineapples, coconuts and a few berries that prospered on the island. On occasion a stranger would come in out of the sea and those were considered a gift from the Gods.ย ย
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย A holiday would be declared, and allย ย would join a three-day festival. Drums would sound day and night, dancing and special costumes would be worn. The stranger would be stripped and bathed, finger and toenails removed. Hair over the full body would be shaved and any sores or blemishes removed.ย ย
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย A pit had been dug and a fire would be built in the bottom of the pit. The fire was treated as a party and continually feed with dry wood for two nights and days.ย ย On the final day the body would be wrapped in banana leaves which had been seasoned, soaked and cooked until it was a paste. Smothered in this paste the body was wrapped head to foot. Another fire wouldย ย be built with green wood that would smoke, and the smoke would rise black to the ski. The drums beating this fire was another way for celebrating and feasting. The witch doctor would give thanks, and the victim would be lowered in the pit suspended on long poles keeping it above the flames. Allowing the meat to cook and the grease to fall into the flames and return flavor to the meat.ย ย
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Then the pit would be covered with logs and then dirt preventing any air from entering the pit. The meat would cook for 8 hours before uncovering and removing. The meat would be placed upon an altar offering special prayers. Everyone would dance around the alter stomping and raising their arms waving and shouting to the heavens giving thanks to the Gods for the additional meat to the island.ย
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย With a coconut milk drink and setting cross legged beneath a large tree a father placed a large chunk of meat in the boys lap and said enjoy this son. Thank you, dad he says, as he brings the first bite to his mouth. Dad, this tastes terrible even the bone smells bad. The dad says sometimes it does not matter how well we prepare it or pray over it; some men are just rotten to the core.ย
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Moral of the story: Even if youย ย do not believe in Heaven or Hell things will eventually come to light one way or the other.ย ย
A Messenger,ย
Verl K.ย