I am a cotton tree. The Cotton Tree. I am the tallest living structure in the town. Taller than all the houses and huts. I stand big and tall in the town’s heart. Seeing everything. Every leaf, ant, stick, snake, fish, crab, antbag, snail—that travels up and down the Foe river.

I am very very old. My roots runs deep. Deeper and deeper under the earth. I have seen many things. And. I am still standing. Because I have big-big roots. Roots so big that more than five giant and big-big people can stand on one side of my roots and still not see the people standing right by them—on the other side of my roots. I am the heartbeat of Foequelleh.

During the day, I spread my wings wide shielding my people from the hot sun’s ray. Then. I move my many feathers—Clapping them—side to side—providing my people with natural air-conditioning. 

During the night. Children dance and sing and play games under my wings. Under the moonlight. I am the best of listeners. I have heard many many stories. Stories and tales from all walks of life and from all ages. As people sit under The Cotton Tree and chats away. Professing, confessing, and proclaiming their wildest dreams and their deepest secrets. I welcome the wise owls at night and we join forces to listen and watch over the town at night. And as my people sleep and dream.

I am Chief Doloquelle-Paye. I have the masked spirits by my side. Alongside The Lion. All my strong warriors. Do not forget—my wives—and my many children.

I am ancient. I am sacred. My roots are deep. My ears are sharp. I welcome wise owls and many other birds. And no one dares think of cutting me down. My many eyes and sharp ears foresees the intentions of those who think of cutting me down before they can reach me—and are struck down by both—the female and—the male—Zoe-bush magics and the masked spirits of all the tribes.

All of our roots runs deep and are huge, just like wonderous cotton trees of the Republic of Liberia.

I will mention—cotton tree—a lot as I write. So, I wanted to give you a visual image of the wonderous cotton trees of the Republic of Liberia. And. Most importantly, the Great and the Fierce Chief Doloquelle-Paye. In the featured picture. My big brother Kerkula and me. The same boy in the post—WATCH YOUR MOUTH.

Unfortunately, I lost the picture of The Cotton Tree in the heart of Foequelleh, that I took of my mother when she was sitting under The Cotton Tree. So, you get a different cotton tree—some of the beauty of Bong County, Liberia.

Enjoy the wonderful, ancient, and giant cotton tree, just like Chief Doloquelle-Paye.

Thank you for reading.

Lawuo, Yemah-Gbokwoh, Zorkleene, Aalafayiah, Dolokolliemah, Cummings and Naimah