The Strange Tale of Loti Pen and his 90 km Journey to Embobutt

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By Thomas Chemelil

Anybody who has been to Embobut must have come across the legendary name 'Loti Pen'- a corruption of its English equivalent of Lord Ben.

Almost every conversation with the locals will not end without mention of the exploits of this legendary  figure, Loti Pen.

The story is told of how Loti Pen went to Kapsowar one day. As fate would have it, he missed a matatu on his return journey to Embobut.

Loti Ben arrived in Chesoi and decided to pay a visit to Jeremiah to taste his holy waters before embarking on the arduous journey on foot to the holy mountains.

After several swallows for the road, Loti Pen begun his punitive 32km journey to Embobut. He arrived home safely, but dog-tired.

It was then that Loti Pen fumbled in his pockets only to realise that he had left his wallet and its precious contents 32km away!

Not a man to easily give up, Loti Pen instructed his dutiful wife to fill his kerosene lamp for him with enough mafuta and light it for him as he had to go back to Chesoi to find his wallet. 

The wife tried to dissuade him, but one look at Loti Pen's eyes convinced her that she could not stop him. 

Loti Pen made the hard, treacherous journey through the much feared Kakaya forest which is inhabited  by the lone woman who drives fifteen donkeys in the wee hours of the night.  

Loti Pen arrived in Chesoi with his kerosene lamp still burning!  Luckily, Loti Ben found his wallet intact with all the contents inside. Lord Ben made the sign of the cross, took one swallow and again embarked on the 32km journey to God's holy mountain.  

That night, tired Loti Pen arrived in his home Physically beaten, but delighted at reuniting with his precious wallet.  

This is the tale of the legendary retired Primary School teacher  whose exploits in the world of academia still regale many here.



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