Chike was suspicious and held the mango at arm’s length.
“He is afraid,” sneered S.M.O.G. “Does a mango bite? If it were eating eggs you would become bold.”
Chike brought the fruit nearer to his ear. In doing so he closed the round hole with his palm. Then something stung him in the palm and he dropped the fruit and cried out at the same time.
S.M.O.G. laughed and laughed and laughed. “Bush boy,” he said.
Chike’s palm was smarting very badly and he kept rubbing and scratching it. Then he turned and began to go home, still scratching his palm. S.M.O.G. had a sudden change of mind. He went to Chike and said he was sorry. At first Chike ignored him. But S.M.O.G. persisted and very soon they were friends again. The pain from the bee’s sting was much reduced. Before they got home Chike presented one of his eggs to S.M.O.G.
9 The Money-Doubler
The next day S.M.O.G. had to go to the General Hospital to see
his sick mother. So he could not accompany Chike to the money-doubler. But he described carefully the way to the man’s place and Chike set out on his own.
The place was not difficult to find. The signboard outside read:
PROFFESSOR CHANDUS
FAMOUS MARGICIAN, AND HERBALISTS
A TRIAL WILL CONVINSE YOU
He was a short man and wore a white singlet that had turned brown. His shorts were oversized. They were made from very hard material like tarpaulin and creaked when he sat down.
“What do you want?” he asked.
“I want you to double my money,” said Chike.
“How much?” asked the man.
“Threepence.”
“Three what?”
“Threepence,” said Chike. “That is all I have.”
“Ha ha ha ha ha. He has brought threepence to Professor Chandus. Ha ha ha ha ha!”
“That is all I have,” said Chike again.
“All right,” said Chandus. “I like you very much. What is your name?”
“Chike.”
“Chike. I like you. What is your father’s occupation?”
“My father is dead,” replied Chike.
“Yes, I knew that but I wanted to test you,” said Chandus.
Chike wondered how he knew. It showed he was a real magician.
“Professor Chandus does not double threepence but he will help you,” he said. “I will give you something which will bring you plenty of money. Look at me.”
Chike looked steadily at him. He brought out a six-inch nail from one of his pockets and pushed it into his nostril until the whole length had disappeared.
“Call me Professor Chandus,” he said.