Corrupting Virgins: Standing for Truth in a Jungle of Opinions

By Thabang Tlaka

After her body experiences the Blossom, the confused virgin Vuyis heart begins to burn with unquenchable and relentless passion. Her parents and the village practices compel her to travel to the Village of Virtue, where the fire in her heart would be molded and, thus, gain permission to reign as queen with the faithful. With other virgins, she quickly learns that dreams, pain, and sacrifice are strangehowever necessarybedfellows. Though determined to reach her destination, her journey is littered with sadistic creatures that seek to corrupt her, break her down, and puncture her dreams of purity.

Corrupting Virgins is a book about purity, second chances, and tsunamis of hatred. It is a story about wading through oceans of opinions, tunnelling through mountains of ignorance, and dancing through the joys and sorrows of life. It is a story that seeks to defend love in a society where love is constantly on trial. Corrupting Virgins is a book about wrestling arguments and monsters that besiege those who believe in faith, hope, and love. Through a unique African and poetic lens, the reader will be taken through Jungles of Insult, Trains of Testing, Rivers of Life, Cities of Instant Gratification, and Villages of Virtue.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Africa
• Release date: Jul 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781482802276

Thabang Tlaka

Thabang Tlaka holds a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He is a poet, playwright, a Mandela Rhodes Scholar, and the author of “The Taxi Philosopher.” Together with his wife, Dr. Zanele Tlaka, they have foundered the creative hub Crazy Poetic Ministries.

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Copyright © 2014 by Thabang Tlaka.

ISBN:         Hardcover         978-1-4828-0229-0

                  Softcover           978-1-4828-0228-3

                  eBook               978-1-4828-0227-6

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Contents

Fluffy Movies And Books

Introduction

Chapter 1 The Jungle Of Insults

Chapter 2 The River Of Life

Chapter 3 The Train Of Testing

Chapter 4 The Spirit Of Goodtime

Chapter 5 Desolation Of The Playful

Chapter 6 The Seductive Schemes of Selfie

Chapter 7 The Pure at Heart

Chapter 8 The City of Instant Gratification

Chapter 9 The ‘Let’s Just Do It’ Game

Chapter 10 The Mystery of Parables

Chapter 11 The Company of Corrupting Comrades

Chapter 12 Virgins and the Ball of Fire

Chapter 13 Zijumzum, the Evil One

Chapter 14 The Village of Virtue

To

They who seek a pure life.

They who use second chances.

They who believe in faith, hope, and love.

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FLUFFY MOVIES AND BOOKS

Who are they that bait us with lies like fish on hooks?

The senseless, who delude us with fluffy movies and books

Who are they that purport to have discovered the secret of life?

They who use mystical words engineered to evade strife

Who are they that weave tales of the institution of marriage?

Making it what it is not, leaving those seeking life discouraged

Who are they that argue that good is evil and evil is good?

They with slimy tongues twisted worse than fallen angels

Who are they that systematically promote opulence?

They oppress the obedient, stifling passion for brilliance

Who are they that write these fluffy movies and books?

Making money of the misery of the misguided masses?

They who furiously force the functionality of the fickle

Who are they that abuse the budding minds of the hungry?

They who suppress truth mistaking wisdom for gibberish

Yes!

—It’s we who give them the power; ordaining kings of the hour?!

—Who are we that they can bait us like fish on hooks?

—No more… of these stupefying fluffy movies and books!

By Thabang Tlaka

INTRODUCTION

We live in a sea of opinions where some opinions are dominant while others are marginalized. Illicit and popular opinions about using all things sexual to attain a sale are foisted upon people across all contexts.

As an individual living in so-called progressive times, I sense that there are many, like myself, who feel oppressed by the current and vociferous anti-purity advocates.

There are men and women who are constantly in pursuit of pleasure. Those who are conservative are attacked and labelled as fundamentalists, judgemental, and backward. Those in pursuit of pleasure in various contexts study and prepare themselves in large groups in order to pummel via legislation, social media, and traditional media those who may have traditional ideas about love and relationships. How is it that good has become bad and bad has become good?

I have come to appreciate the fact that there are young boys and girls at various schools and institutions of higher learning in our nation, if not around the world, who are attacked for not having experimented sexually. Those that choose to wait for marriage are seen as some sort of misfits. How is it that those who choose to wait for marriage in order to have sex have become vile?

Could it be that those who have given up their virginity have an agenda? Is it possible for those who have missed the mark to be renewed again? How can someone learn how to say no to the things that they disagree with? Is there some drink, power, or remedy that can strengthen our sons, daughters, and friends when facing the onslaught of relentless temptation? What about those who have been raped? What about those who have prostituted themselves? Is there a fresh start for them?

It is also apparent that those who want to live honest lives in corrupt spaces are viewed as criminal and abhorrent. Men and women who want to indulge their senses, fudge the truth, and disrespect basic tenets of a good life are on a mission to silence that which is good and pure. How is it that people who report heinous acts are labelled as foolish whistle-blowers, backstabbers, and anti-revolutionaries?

In Corrupting Virgins, much like honest men and women in a modern world, there are many struggles that the protagonists face. The protagonists have to go through Jungles of Insults, the River of Life, and survive the Train of Testing. Since there are many enemies of dreams, much like in the world, the protagonists have to wrestle with the true meaning of a good time, make sense of the desolation of the playful, and navigate through a world with many people living together but emotionally apart. How is it that though the human race has made such strides with regard to connecting technologically, many people have never felt so disconnected?

Is it really possible to have a world where Truth, Purity, and Love are cherished? Is such a world near or far? Is such a world desirable and useful for the human race as a species? Is it possible to live in a world of respect for things that are pure?

There are always more questions than answers, however, in Corrupting Virgins, the reader will find some clues regarding how to defend dreams and other things that we hold dear. The book was a labour of love. The reader of the pages that follow needs to be prepared to be lost in a world of mystery, passion, and struggle. The pages that follow show a world that is adventurous, near and far at the same time. It is a world of contradictions and hope.

T. E. Tlaka

May 2014

Chapter 1

The Jungle of Insults

Many moons ago, after the Spiritual-People rebelled against the Maker-of-All and elected to become Soulish-People, irrepressible screaming was heard coming from the tenth hut, in a compound with ten huts, at about the tenth hour. As labour pains seize the responsiveness of a soon-to-be mother, the commotion seized the strange compound’s attention.

Inside the tenth hut, Old-Wife-Mother was heard yelling, ‘Her time has come, her time has come!’

Like springbuck fleeing unceremoniously, the other family members leaped up from their beds within the ninth and eighth huts. Old-Husband-Father, who had been sleeping in the eighth hut, rushed for his weapon and coat while Young-Son-Brother, who had been sleeping in the ninth hut, leaped for his discoloured vest and tired khakis.

They all rushed to investigate the reason for Old-Wife-Mother’s yelling. They found Old-Wife-Mother looking at the girl lying on the bed.

The girl, Virgin-Vuyi, was lying on her bed quaking uncontrollably. She was shaking violently on her bed as if warding off an attack. Her chest began to beam with light until one could see through her as one would be able to see through glass or water. One could observe her red heart thrusting blood to her various organs. Her chest began to expand and relax rapidly, her hips widened, while her eyes, though filled with terror and confusion, began to shine.

‘What is happening to me? Mother, what is happening?’ she frantically enquired. Her mother, filled with both trepidation and excitement, replied, ‘Your time has come, my child. It will not be long now, wait and see for this pain will birth a beautiful thing.’

Moments later, the girl’s violent movements began to subside as she slowly seemed to sink into heavy sleep. Her breathing slowed. Once fully asleep, a fire began to build in her heart and then slowly moved through her body until her entire being was burning inwardly with fire. The fire burned inside but did not consume her organs. It was volcanic and strange but steady at the same time. Like the process of birth, it was violent but necessary.

Her skin began to change texture as it became smooth as that of an infant who is only a few days old. Her slowed breathing slowed even further and then suddenly stopped. In that moment, she appeared as if kissed by death. Seconds later, her breathing resumed slowly and then increased rapidly until it reached normality.

She began to open her eyes, however, somehow still felt a continuous burning in her being. As the somewhat dimmed light in the hut began to enter her eyes, her pupils dilated. Her eyes told a tale of maturity.

Upon opening her eyes, she observed her mother, father, and brother ogling at her as if she possessed something to marvel at. She had been mysteriously transformed into a young woman, and a burning desire had been lodged inside her heart. Her hips had suddenly widened and curved like the great rivers that nourished lives next to their village. Her breasts, like sand dunes, declared their existence following passionate windstorms. Her pain had forced her into a thing of beauty.

Her brother, with eyes darting across her body from head to toe, and truly filled with concern, cried out, ‘What has happened to her? Look, Mother, look!’

Her father, arrested by awe, reacted, ‘My goodness, is this my little Virgin-Vuyi? My! This is a miracle. I never thought she would be like this, why so soon?’

Her mother hastily interjected, ‘Her time has come, quick, Husband, prepare!’

Virgin-Vuyi became even more alarmed. ‘What has happened to me? Prepare for what?’ she enquired.

Her mother joyfully replied, ‘This is The-Blossom that the villagers have been talking about. The eggs of goodness are ripening inside of you. A fire has been set in your heart.’

‘I can feel a strange burning in my heart,’ confirmed Virgin-Vuyi.

‘Do not be alarmed,’ said Old-Wife-Mother. She then continued, ‘This is a rite of passage that all the women and men in the Village of Hope have gone through. It is your time now. There comes a time when The-Blossom takes place in every little girl and boy. All our people must experience this. It is a time when your body, spirit, and soul are preparing to cling to an equal with virtuous qualities until time everlasting.’

After sighing and with glistening eyes, she continued, ‘This is the stage where those who are kissed by valour ready themselves to join and reign with The-Faithful. The fire within must be moulded and directed by the Maker-of-All who is in the Village of Virtue.’

‘I thought all the talk about the Village of Virtue was just talk, at best, a myth,’ said Virgin-Vuyi.

‘Myths are for those who are spiritually blind and those who do not understand that which is worthy to be cherished,’ countered her mother.

Her mother continued, ‘My child, you are now entering into the realm of the Sent-Ones, as you have managed this journey without being attacked by the Company of Corruption. This change that has taken place means you have the opportunity to rule with Dignity. You have to, however, go on a journey immediately so that you may meet an equal that will govern with you, for two can put ten thousand to flight.’

‘The Company of Corruption?’ asked Virgin-Vuyi.

‘If you are to be queen, you need a strong equal. Before you find your virtuous equal, you have to be tested as he, your virtuous equal, has to also be tested. You will know him in the Village of Virtue. To get to the Village of Virtue, you will need to journey across the Jungle of Insults, River of Life, and board the Train of Testing.’

‘This journey seems both dangerous and remarkable,’ said Virgin-Vuyi’s brother.

‘You will meet kind and hateful strangers, see loving and deadly beings, and you will, as sure as the blood in our veins, be tested. Everyone has different struggles on this journey, but you will not face anything that has not been conquered by those who have gone before you,’ said Virgin-Vuyi’s mother.

‘I hear some people do not come back home or, even worse, die on the road,’ peeped Virgin-Vuyi with large eyes.

‘It is true, however, do not be alarmed as we have been preparing for this moment since my womb declared your coming. Remember all our instructions about the good Maker-of-All and the evil Zijumzum. It is true that many do not return home or die on the road to the Village of Virtue. Nothing worth having is for free, my child. Great victories come at a price, and if you want to be numbered with the excellent, you must conquer great challenges.’

After hearing heavy footsteps, ‘Here comes Father,’ said Virgin-Vuyi.

Her father returned with a chest rapped in sheep’s skin. ‘I have returned,’ said her father. He continued, ‘I have waited with wonderful and fearful feelings for this moment to come. The chest I possess in my hands has been treasured in our family for many generations and I now have the honour of giving it to you. Vuyi, my love, the contents of this chest will help you on a strange but important journey you are about to take. You will soon have to do the dance of joy which pain desires to strangle.’

Virgin-Vuyi’s eyes grew wider while her brother started smiling, though he felt left out as his time had not yet come.

Restless, and looking at Virgin-Vuyi’s mother, her father said, ‘Wife, we do not have much time, we have to prepare her for she must sleep and then start on the journey in the morning before the sun shows its face.’

‘Indeed the hour is near,’ observed her mother.

‘Come closer,’ said her father. He continued, ‘Let me pray for you before I open this chest: Great Immortal One, You who is without Equal, You who is and was and who forever shall be, we call upon You. Great One, your daughter is ready for the journey. May you be with her, may you keep her feet from slipping, ears from being corrupted, and form from being the instrument of evil. Let it be so.’

Her father brought the chest in front of her. ‘What I am about to say to you must be remembered and cherished, let no one steal wholesome words spoken by a man who cares for you,’ he said.

With some force, the girl’s father prised open the rugged-looking chest covered with sheep skin. Inside the chest was another medium sized chest strapped with fine leather. Her father opened the second chest and light shone from it. He first pulled out a scroll and said, ‘This is the Golden Scroll which will guide you from now until forever. Read it twice daily as soon your eyes open in the morning and just before your eyes close in the evening.’ Her father took the Golden Scroll and placed it on the bed next to her.

He then reached into the shining chest again, pulled out a small Wooden Cross, and said, ‘This is the symbol of great suffering and freedom. Remember to clutch it tightly whenever you feel like giving up. The power and memory of the cross will release power and help you overcome any difficulty facing you.’ He then placed the Wooden Cross on the bed next to her.

Her father reached into the shining chest for the third time and pulled out a small feather that had been dipped in the Oil of Wisdom and said, ‘This is the Feather of the Spirit Who Leads, which has been dipped in the Oil of Wisdom. Keep this with you at all times as this will lead you in the direction in which you should go.

As Virgin-Vuyi was marvelling at the Golden Scroll,