By Jeremeeh Kousse.
Jeremeeh Kousse is a playwright. A griot and a comedian.
He is also a crypto researcher.
From his collections: Tales from the Savannah 13
In the quaint, oriental rural village of Eseka, a modest couple lived in humble contentment despite the trials of their long, childless marriage. Boman and Maneki Banayang had been married for 25 years, enduring whispers and gossip from neighbors and even conflicts with extended family. Their unwavering faith and mutual love had kept them together, waiting for divine providence.
On the silver anniversary of their marriage, a miracle occurred: Maneki gave birth to a healthy, happy baby boy named Sotomi Banayang. Sotomi was a delightful surprise, a symbol of hope and perseverance. He inherited his mother’s light skin and his father’s stout build, embodying the best of both parents.
As Sotomi grew, he displayed an extraordinary sense of smell. By the age of nine, he began to complain to his mother about strange odors. He said their house always smelled bad when his father was around. His mother, Maneki, initially dismissed his concerns, thinking they were childish whims. However, Sotomi’s sensitivity to smells became more pronounced.
During visits to his grandparents’ homes, Sotomi would cry and insist on leaving, claiming the houses smelled terrible. He avoided playing with his father, citing the same unpleasant odors. His parents, worried and perplexed, couldn’t understand the cause of his distress.
One day, Sotomi’s maternal grandfather fell seriously ill. Sotomi accompanied his mother to the hospital to visit him. At the hospital, he complained that the smell was even worse than at home or his grandparents’ houses. This time, his complaint caught the attention of Dr. Singh Chopra, a visiting doctor from India renowned for his expertise and compassion. Intrigued by Sotomi’s acute sense of smell, Dr. Chopra requested a meeting with the Banayang family.
In his spacious office on the third floor of the Libai Specialist Senior Citizens Hospital, Dr. Chopra conducted several tests on Sotomi using advanced, specialized machines. The results were astonishing. Dr. Chopra revealed that Sotomi possessed an unprecedented sensory ability. His nose could detect the early stages of mental illness and other neurological conditions in the elderly, far surpassing the capabilities of modern diagnostic equipment and AI devices.
The implications were profound. Sotomi’s unique ability could revolutionize the field of mental health, providing early detection and intervention for countless patients. Recognizing the significance of his gift, arrangements were swiftly made for Sotomi and his parents to move to the United States. They were granted permanent residence, ensuring that Sotomi could develop his talent under the best possible conditions.
Sotomi Banayang’s extraordinary sense of smell transformed his family’s life and held the promise of transforming the world of mental health. From the quiet village of Eseka to the bustling cities of America, Sotomi’s journey was a testament to the power of patience, faith, and the unexpected miracles that life can offer.
